The LWV-TSC Climate Committee urges you to support solar energy in Shawnee County! Take Action NOW!
MARCH UPDATE: On Feb 9, the Planning Commission recommended solar regulations to the Shawnee County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC). The regulations are MUCH IMPROVED since January. The County Commission will consider those regulations at a Special Meeting, 9:00 AM meeting on April 13 in the Commission chambers at 707 SE Quincy Street, Topeka. See an announcement at the top of the Planninng Commission webpage. Please attend the County Commission meeting wearing gold (the color in the graphic below) to tell the Commissioners you support the solar regulations and solar development in the county, and/or write to the commissioners and tell them you support the regulations. Here are some talking points.
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Solar could be a lifeline for Shawnee County’s economy and grid.
Solar would support farmers in Shawnee County.
Solar is a safe and sustainable neighbor.
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FEBRUARY UPDATE: Thanks to a large showing by solar advocates, the Planning Commission delayed their vote and will discuss this again during their next meeting on Monday, February 9. We still need you to contact members of the commission (email planning@snco.us) and show up to support solar! The meeting will be at 6:00 pm at 1515 NW Saline St, Topeka. Wear gold or the t-shirts that were provided at January’s meeting!
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On January 12 at 6:00 pm, the Shawnee County Planning Commission will meet to vote on proposed solar installation regulations. You can view information about the meeting here.
Bonus: League members are invited to a pre-meeting-meeting at 4pm on January 12 to prepare for the commission meeting. Meet us at the Coffee Bar (1635 SW Washburn Ave) at 4:00 pm. Free t-shirts provided while supplies last. RSVP here.
Our Position: The Climate Committee believes that the proposed regulations are too small in acreage, contain prohibitive and unnecessary setbacks, and exclude battery storage. As a result, the regulations may effectively ban solar installation.
What You Can Do: Send a message to the Planning commission by January 12 to support effective solar installations! It’s as simple as sending an email to planning@snco.us. Below are some quick talking points, and you can reference this document from Greenlight to learn more and help write your message.
Solar could be a lifeline for Shawnee County’s economy and grid.
- Solar projects mean new jobs and economic vitality for our communities.
- Solar would strengthen our power grid and lower our bills with homegrown, affordable clean energy.
Solar would support farmers in Shawnee County.
- Our local farmers deserve solar regulations that maintain their private property rights and avoid government overreach.
- More solar in our county would help ensure the economic survival of family farms.
Solar is a safe and sustainable neighbor.
- Solar is water-smart and coexists with nature.
- Solar is safe, healthy, and highly regulated.
