News
Florida Public Utilities in partnership with local business Amelia River Holdings, LLC, is proposing replacing 36 acres of trees with a solar farm on riverfront land adjacent to the Amelia River golf course.
For more information read the article Solar Farm Proposed on Heavily Wooded Airport Land in the Fernandina Observer.
Agenda item 6 on the FB City Commission Meeting is a discussion of the Amelia River Golf Course Lease
The meeting begins at 6 pm at 204 Ash Street, Fernandina Beach.
Read the Agenda
REMOVED FROM CONSIDERATION - FOURTH AMENDMENT - AMELIA RIVER GOLF COURSE AGREEMENT - RESOLUTION 2023-81 APPROVING THE FOURTH AMENDMENT TO THE GOLF COURSE DEVELOPMENT AND LEASE AGREEMENT, BY AMENDING SECTIONS 1.02 AND 2.04 OF THE LEASE AGREEMENT FOR THE AMELIA RIVER GOLF COURSE PROPERTY; PROVIDING FOR EXECUTION; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
The item removed from the agenda read as follows:
Synopsis: Approves the Fourth Amendment to the Amelia River Golf Course Lease, allowing for construction of a solar farm.
Thoughts
ATC is strongly opposed to the solar farm and is encouraging everyone to attend the meeting and to write to the commissioners to present their own opinions.
Their email addresses are:
bbean@fbfl.org
dsturges@fbfl.org
cross@fbfl.org
jantun@fbfl.org
dayscue@fbfl.org
Considerations:
Information on the value of the trees can be found on our website under Amelias Trees
Yale researchers estimate that solar panels have an expected lifespan of 25 - 30 years with little regulation on how toxic metals will be managed after the panels become obsolete. In fact according to the Department of Energy the cost of recycling is greater than the cost of disposing in a landfill.
The Department of Energy notes that solar facilities can cause stormwater runoff from the site or soil erosion of the land underneath.
The Environmental Protection Agency notes that, "Solar farm construction involves clearing and grading large sections of land, which can lead to significant erosion and major runoff of sediment into waterways if stormwater controls at the site are inadequate. Increased sediment in waterways can injure, suffocate, or kill aquatic life; damage aquatic ecosystems;"
One acre of forest can absorb 4.5 to 40.7 tons of carbon dioxide and produce four tons of oxygen. This is enough to offset the annual carbon emissions produced by driving a car 26,000 miles. (One Tree Planted)