Stand Up Western Kansas Against Industrial Solar

04/15/2025

“The Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities initiative was largely built to advance the green new scam at the benefit of NGOs, not American farmers,” said Secretary Rollins. “The concerns of farmers took a backseat during the Biden Administration. During my short time as Secretary, I have heard directly from our farmers that many of the USDA partnerships are overburdened by red tape, have ambiguous goals, and require complex reporting that push farmers onto the sidelines. We are correcting these mistakes and redirecting our efforts to set our farmers up for an unprecedented era of prosperity.” Stand 4 The Land Kansas Stand Up Western Kansas Against Industrial Solar

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03/15/2025

It’s interesting to see this update on the Boot Hill Solar project coming from one of the landowner’s who is employed at the radio station. Isn’t that a bit of a conflict of interest? When the people benefiting financially from the project is also the one posting about its progress. Stand 4 The Land Kansas Stand Up Western Kansas Against Industrial Solar

03/08/2025

02/26/2025

A massive wind turbine collapsed in Oklahoma.

02/19/2025

Community Update – February 2025

Good afternoon, everyone. It has been a while since our last update, and like many of you, we have been navigating a busy season. We appreciate your continued engagement and want to share some important developments in our community.

Ford County Commissioners Update
There has been a change in the Ford County Commission following the recent election. Mr. Ken Snook was not re-elected, and Mr. Gary Thomas has been elected as the new 3rd District Commissioner. The 1st and 2nd District Commissioners remain the same:

1st District Commissioner: Shawn Tasset
2nd District Commissioner: Chris Boys

Boot Hill Solar Project
Unfortunately, the Boot Hill Solar Project is moving forward. Developers have begun bringing in heavy construction equipment, signaling the start of the project. Many in our community find it disheartening to see productive farmland being cleared for this development.
At the January 1st County Commissioners meeting, the developer stated their intent to begin construction in February 2025, with an expected completion date of February 2026. Additionally, Kirkham Michael plans to present an engineering agreement at the January 6th Commission meeting to document and observe haul routes. Pre-construction documentation is expected to be completed by early February.

Grain Belt Express Transmission Line – Public Comment Period
There is still time to submit public comments on the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Phase I of the proposed Grain Belt Express (GBX). The U.S. Department of Energy will accept comments until March 3, 2025.
Comments can be submitted through the following methods:
🔹 DOE Website
🔹 Regulations.gov – Search for Docket No. DOE-HQ-2023-0020
🔹 Email: [email protected]
🔹 Mail:
U.S. Department of Energy
Loan Programs Office, LP 30
Grain Belt Express EIS
c/o: T. Stribley, NEPA Compliance Officer
1000 Independence Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20585

We will continue to keep you informed about these and other key issues affecting our community. Thank you for staying engaged!
Stand 4 The Land Kansas Stand Up Western Kansas Against Industrial Solar

05/10/2024

**THIS IS THE HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE BEING PLANNED THAT WAS DISCUSSED AT THE FORD COUNTY FAIRGROUND IN JANUARY 2024. PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR BY JUNE 24, 2024 TO [email protected]! LET YOUR VOICES BE HEARD! **

The Department of Energy (DOE) has revealed a proposed list of 10 national-interest electric transmission corridors to speed up the development of power grids across the country including in Kansas.

The largest of the projects is five miles wide, 780 miles long from Indiana through Kansas from the northeast part of the state to the southwest. Part of the DOE’s findings say that electricity shortfalls leave the area vulnerable.

This project is also being described as a project where the federal government will undertake “never-before-used” federal authority to fast-track and fund the major transmission grid projects. Funding will come from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, and it could involve billions of dollars.

The Energy Department stated that once the corridors are locked in, something that could be achieved by the end of the year, the government could more easily lend money for the projects.

What it did not answer were possible questions regarding the use of eminent domain to claim the land where the transmission lines would be built and whether competitive bidding would be required for the installation of the projects. Stand 4 The Land Kansas

https://www.kwch.com/2024/05/10/power-grid-expansion-proposal-could-lower-costs-kansans/?outputType=amp

04/25/2024

Nicely written Brenda Frey. It’s so easy for the media to manipulate your words to fit their narrative.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Dear Editor, I was in attendance at the Ford County Commissioners meeting on April 15, 2024. I am the “female landowner” mentioned in the reporter’s commentary in the Dodge Globe covering the April 15 meeting.

Some clarification is due. There was no mention of Wind generators or wind turbines. Prior to my comment, Commissioner Snook named landowners who are for solar projects. I commented that “I respect other landowners use of their land until it affects my ability to grow a crop on mine.” This statement was made in reference to the heat dissipation that solar panels create. Research studies show that this interferes with the amount of precipitation that reaches the soil. Neighboring properties to these solar projects would be affected by this lack of precipitation.

Our property is not near the Boot Hill LLC solar project. Boot Hill LLC is only a small portion of the number of agricultural acres that are presently being leased for more solar projects. At the present time these are acres that have been voluntarily put into the solar projects. However, if the energy companies decide they want more of the incentives given by the government for these projects they will be able to take our property by “eminent domain”. Unless legislators make an exception for agricultural land from being taken by Eminent Domain laws. Those who do not want to give their land voluntarily will be forced to do so by the energy companies.

Brenda Frey, Ford resident

04/05/2024

According to the latest numbers from the U.S. Treasury, this year alone, the production tax credit (used primarily for wind energy) and the investment tax credit (primarily solar) will cost taxpayers $35 billion. For reference, the oil and gas industry’s most significant tax credit, the depletion allowance, will cost taxpayers about $1.6 billion. Stand Up Western Kansas Against Industrial Solar Stand 4 The Land Kansas

From rural England to the Osage Nation in Oklahoma, local communities are telling alt-energy developers to take their projects and put them where the sun doesn’t shine.