Gardner, Osterloh Spearhead Solar Energy Construction Projects
In an exciting move toward developing renewable energy sources in Kentucky, Sturgill Turner attorneys James Gardner and Todd Osterloh are working with two energy corporations on construction of utility scale solar projects in Garrard and Metcalfe Counties. Gardner and Osterloh filed the first applications of this type in Kentucky requesting construction certificates for these projects in late March with the Kentucky State Board on Electric Generation and Transmission Siting, which has begun its review.
“In order to meet the growing demand for energy in Kentucky and the region, it’s critical that we explore renewable energy projects, which not only provide electric power for our families and industries, but address environmental concerns as well,” said Gardner. “Todd and I are excited to bring both our legal expertise as well as our experience working with the Public Service Commission and utilities across Kentucky to explore these new avenues for energy production which we believe will encourage more businesses to relocate to Kentucky.”
Both projects would sell power into the regional wholesale electricity market operated by PJM Interconnection, connecting to the grid via existing East Kentucky Power Cooperative transmission lines that cross the properties.
The Garrard County application, from Turkey Creek Solar, LLC, proposes construction of a 50-megawatt (MW) photovoltaic solar array on 520 acres of pasture land south of Lancaster, on Crab Orchard Road near the Merriwood Estates subdivision and just south of Garrard County High School. The Metcalfe County application, from Glover Creek Solar, LLC, proposes construction of a 55 MW photovoltaic solar array on 400 acres of pasture and farm land north of the unincorporated community of Summer Shade.
“It’s rewarding to help companies like Turkey Creek and Glover Creek develop innovative projects like these, that not only provide renewable energy sources, but bring needed industry and jobs to rural Kentucky,” said Osterloh. “We look forward to working with more companies in the future to shepherd them through the regulatory process.”
Sturgill Turner attorneys bring wide-ranging experience in renewable energy project development, facility construction and permitting, utilities law, regulation and compliance. A former Chair of the Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC), Gardner spearheaded the Commission’s effort to require that jurisdictional utilities adopt cleaner energy sources, and brings more than two decades of utility law, environmental planning, and business planning experience to his work with renewable energy companies. Osterloh, a former Staff Attorney for the PSC, has represented utilities and municipalities in a wide variety of matters, including representing solar developers, transmission companies, and other companies in the energy sector.
Both Turkey Creek Solar and Glover Creek Solar are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Carolina Solar Energy of Durham, N.C., one of the Southeast’s leading providers of commercial utility-scale photovoltaic (PV) solar systems.
The applications and related documents are available on the Kentucky PSC website:
Garrard County: https://psc.ky.gov/PSC_WebNet/ViewCaseFilings.aspx?case=2020-00040
Metcalfe County: https://psc.ky.gov/PSC_WebNet/ViewCaseFilings.aspx?case=2020-00043
Questions about renewable energy development and utilities law? Our Government and Municipal Law attorneys have extensive experience in both public and private energy sectors, and are happy to help. Contact us at 859.255.8581.