Massive Kansas solar farm sparks debate

JACKSON COUNTY (KSNT) - A huge solar project could inject new jobs and add millions of dollars in tax revenue to northeast Kansas, but some locals aren't sold on the proposal.

Jackson County leaders have been engaged in talks with NextEra Energy Resources to establish a new solar energy farm for years. The project, named Jeffrey Solar, is expected to cover hundreds of acres of space in the county with solar panels and generate millions in tax revenue for the county while also adding numerous work opportunities.

Not all local residents see the project as beneficial, or wanted, and are voicing their opposition to it. 27 News got in touch with both the energy company and locals to find out where people stand on the sweeping solar project.

NextEra Energy Resources

27 News touched base with NextEra Energy Resources on Sept. 9 to learn more about the company's plans for the new solar project in Jackson County. NextEra spokeswoman Laura Gies said the company is focused on building strong relationships with the communities its projects border and supporting nearby residents.

"Renewable energy projects, like the proposed Jeffrey Solar are attractive to local communities, as they provide numerous economic benefits, including good jobs and the potential for millions of dollars in additional tax revenue, which can be used to enhance schools, roads and essential services," Gies said.

Jeffrey Solar is expected to add an additional $136 million in tax revenue for local communities over the course of 30 years, create new employment opportunities during the construction of the solar plant and produce 500 megawatts of renewable energy, according to an economic impact study. Gies said NextEra is currently working with the Jackson County Planning and Zoning Committee prior to construction of the solar farm.

"We appreciate the Planning and Zoning Committee's collaborative efforts in drafting the solar ordinance and look forward to adhering to Jackson County's regulations as we advance the Jeffrey Solar project through the permitting process," Gies said. "We will develop and submit an application for a project that the county can be proud of – one that creates homegrown, renewable energy, good jobs and economic growth for the local communities and the state of Kansas."

Jeffrey Solar is currently scheduled to begin operations by February 2030, according to NextEra's website. The entire project is set to take up 5,000 acres of space in the county, which equates to about eight square miles of land or nearly 3,800 football fields. NextEra states on the project's website that solar projects create sources of renewable energy while also preserving clean water and air.

"For more than two decades, NextEra Energy Resources has been investing in Kansas," Gies said. "We remain committed to continued energy development, leveraging all forms of energy across renewables, battery energy storage, natural gas, nuclear and other critical energy infrastructure."

Local criticism and lawsuit

27 News got in touch with some locals in Jackson County to find out what opinions they hold about the solar project. Some have objected to the construction of the plant, claiming it would have several negative impacts on the nearby area and environment.

Local residents and the City of Rossville filed a lawsuit in early 2025 against the U.S. Department of Treasury (USDT) and Jeffrey Solar in an attempt to halt the project. The plaintiffs claimed the use of taxpayer funding for the project, in the form of tax credits, should require a review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regarding the impact the solar farm will have on the environment. However, a U.S. district judge later dismissed the suit in July, ruling the plaintiffs lacked standing.

"Plaintiffs’ claims, arguments, and requested relief have been difficult to analyze. They are trying to use the procedural requirements of NEPA as a roadblock because they do not like what Congress has chosen to incentivize and what regulations Jackson County is considering. But those challenges must be made to the legislative branch, not to the judiciary."

Case 5:25-cv-04003-HLT-BGS excerpt

Tom Hoffman is one of the landowners who filed the lawsuit. In a statement to 27 News sent on Sept. 14, he claimed the project will "destroy 5,000 or more acres of land, at taxpayer expense" and cause damage to the environment.

"This project will lower non participating land owners quality of life, reduce their property use, possibly harm the health of those people nearby as well as lowering their property values," Hoffman said.

Austin Nimocks with PNT Law Firm, speaking on behalf of Hoffman on Sept. 18, said the dismissal of the lawsuit left them "disappointed" but that it is currently being appealed in the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. He claimed that a big issue with the project is that it lacks an environmental review.

"The proposed industrial project in Kansas is not undergoing any significant environmental review, though it is planned for a sensitive environmental area containing endangered species and which is prone to flooding, among other things," Nimocks said.

Documents for the "Working Solar Draft" listed on the county's website for the solar project do mention the Jackson County Planning Commission, and other county officials, will take into consideration the impact the project will have on wildlife, the appearance of the local area, nearby agricultural operations and more. The draft places additional requirements on the project such as where it can be located and reducing the impact it may potentially have on "environmentally and historically sensitive lands."

Terrence Kaufman, a local property owner, said he has been following the Jeffrey Solar project since 2022. He said his long-standing plan to build a home on his land is on hold due to the project, and he fears the arrival of numerous solar panels would be detrimental to life in the rural countryside.

"It would be totally unreasonable to build a home in the vicinity [of the project]," Kaufman said.

Matt DeVader, another local resident, said he lives on a farm not too far south of Holton and owns a small solar farm of his own. While a user of renewable energy himself, he believes the creation of a solar farm on the scale of Jeffrey Solar would be too great of an impact to the environment.

"The overall environmental costs to build large or numerous solar or wind components does not yet provide a net gain to the environment," DeVader said. "It does in fact make an overall huge net damage to our environment."

Public meetings

Jackson County locals are invited to attend two upcoming meetings on the solar project later this month and in early October at 400 New York, Room 104 in Holton. People are encouraged to share with county commissioners their thoughts and opinions on the project during these meetings.

• 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 25.
• 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 2.

The Jackson County Planning Commission will take comments into consideration but will not give out any comments of its own during these sessions. People are encouraged to follow several guidelines during the meetings to help ensure the discussions remain both orderly and efficient.

• The Planning Commission will call on people who sent in Solar Feedback Forms prior to Sept. 16 and Sept. 23 alphabetically to speak.
• People who haven't filled out a Solar Feedback Form prior to the public sessions will have an opportunity to talk after those who did so. These people will be called forward in the order they signed the sign-in sheet on the day of the meeting.
• Each person who wants to talk will have three minutes. The speakers are encouraged to avoid asking the Planning Commission questions or attempting to argue with people who have already spoken.
• Speakers cannot donate unused time to other people in attendance. The Planning Commission encourages people to avoid repeating what others have already said.
• All comments must address the proposed solar regulations by specific section.
• The Planning Commission may allow some speakers to give additional feedback if time allows. However, the Planning Commission reserves the right to maintain individual time limits and a total time limit on the public hearing porting of the meetings.
• The Planning Commission reserves the right to mute and/or remove anyone who comments are in violation of the set guidelines or people who make threats, act aggressively, are disruptive or hostile.

27 News reached out to Jackson County commissioners by email on Sept. 12 and Sept. 19 for comment on the Jeffrey Solar Project. Their responses will be added to this story or in a future article.

You can learn more about Jeffrey Solar and download a copy of the economic impact study by heading to NextEra Energy Resource's website. You can learn more about the upcoming Jackson County public meetings, look over draft documents on the solar project and find copies of the Solar Feedback Form by clicking here.

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