The Starke County Commissioners discussed IDEM and permit inquiries during their meeting last week.
Roberta Lee approached the commissioners to address issues she has with Starke County’s current solar farm installations. She stated she has reviewed and complied a comprehensive binder of documentation highlighting deficiencies in the permitting, oversight and compliance process for all of the solar projects currently going on. She presented each commissioner with a binder and announced many deficiencies she has found within the permits.
Lee stated she hopes the commissioners will take immediate action and provide an update showing progress within the next 30 days to address the concerns brought forth in bringing the county’s processes into full compliance. She went on to say, if the commissioners do not get resolutions started within the next 30 days, she would be compelled to escalate the matter by contacting various state agencies, including the state board of accounts and the attorney general. Lee stated, she along with others are prepared to pursue a class action lawsuit on behalf of the citizens of Starke County. She went on to ask for a pause on current solar projects to allow commissioners to address and correct the found deficiencies.
Starke County Commission President Don Binkley stated, he couldn’t promise Lee the 30 day time frame she had given the commissioners but added they will definitely be looking into it. Commissioner Charles Chesak stated this is a serious matter and agreed they would need to look into the information brought forth. Lee stated she isn’t asking all of the deficiencies she had found be corrected within 30 days but that the commissioners at least show signs of progress within that time frame. The commissioners did not vote on placing a pause on current solar projects and did not take action on pausing new permits but it was announced the information brought forth would be looked at.
In a follow up with Starke County Attorney Justin Schramm, this statement was provided to WKVI News,“The health, safety and welfare of County residents is of the utmost importance to the Board of Commissioners, and the County Council. Elected officials continue to welcome the public to engage in discussions concerning the future of Starke County and its various projects – whether they be about topics such as solar, or other economic development engagements. In the present case, all prerequisites were properly considered and submitted.”
