Photo Credit: Lee Becker

From left, Oconee County commissioners Mark Thomas, Chuck Horton, Bubber Wilkes and Mark Saxon.

Oconee County commissioners in a 3-1 vote Tuesday night turned down a request for a 30-megawatt solar energy farm at the intersection of McNutt Creek Road and Dials Mill Road in the northwestern part of the county.

Commissioner Chuck Horton made the notion to deny the request for a special use of the 205 acres zoned agricultural for the solar farm, proposed by Rural Green Power LLC of Athens. Commissioner Mark Saxon seconded the motion and was joined by Horton and Commissioner William “Bubber” Wilkes in the vote on the motion. Newly elected Commissioner Mark Thomas provided the sole vote against the denial.

About 80 people turned out for the rezone hearing, the first conducted by new BOC Chair John Daniell.

For more, visit Oconee County Observations.