(Chatham) — Pittsylvania County leaders bought their concerns to local state representatives Tuesday.
The Board of Supervisors had lunch with Delegate Eric Phillips and Senator Tammy Mulchi to go over its 2025 legislative priorities. Danville Delegate Danny Marshall participated remotely.
Supervisors are asking the reps to oppose three bills that have been pre-filed for next year’s session. One would move solar project permitting authority to the State Corporation Commission. That would make local restrictions moot.
Supervisors last year adopted restrictions which essentially put the brakes on further solar development in the county. They boosted the buffer between solar farms from one mile to five miles, and limited solar farm development to no more than two-percent of the total acreage of a zoning district.
The other two bills would nullify solar siting agreements and move the approval for energy storage facilities from Supervisors to state regulators.
Supervisors are also supporting a move to make County Board member pay based on population. Last year, the General Assembly approved a similar measure covering pay for City Council members.
The Board also asked the delegates to explore funding for the Cherrystone/Roaring Fork Dam rehab projects. They were built in the sixties to provide flood control and drinking water for the Town of Chatham.
When the dams were designed they met flood requirements. They’re still structurally sound, but federal flood criteria has changed.
County Attorney Vaden Hunt says even if the feds fund their portion of the cost, the county would still be on the hook for more than eleven million dollars.