CIVIL ACTION LAWSUIT NO. 5:25-cv-4003

Amicus Brief

Comments from All Supporters of Plantiffs in this Case

Name: First	What Kansas County do you live in?	Do you live near a potential, pending, or existing Utility-Scale Project? If so, what is the name of the Project and the name of the Developer?	Share your story, how has potential, pending, or existing Utility-Scale Solar impacted your quality of life, environment, economic interests, community (optional)	Additional Comments
Cole	Dickinson	Hope wind		I'm grew up in Jackson County and do not approve or green or renewable energy.
Darlene	Douglas	There’s been potential for several years and I’m not interested, nor do I want solar or turbines in our county	As of yet it is not impact me personally, but the fact that the green energy is being pushed down our throats if allowed irritates me very much I am a farmer, and I live in the country pacifically for the country style in farming… I want to live in the city I live in the city, but I want the freedom of the rule area the green grass green plants not having no trees and stuff the day green energy people so-called want it’s not OK with me they need to go away	Please, please please stop these things from coming into Kansas anymore than they are stopped at the deterioration of farm ground… Who in the world is going to feed people there or not? Farm should grow it on please stop them now.
Gloria	Johnson
Edith	Harvey	B.E.S.S. in Hastead KS
Renae	Marion
Carrie	Douglas	NextEra Energy, Boulevard Associates, LLC has been trying to blanket our rural community with 3,500 acres of industrial solar since 2021. Also Savion's 1,000+ acre solar project north of Lawrence, KS	https://westgardnersolar.com/problems-with-utility-scale-solar-facilities/no-transparency-for-large-land-leasing-activity/
Lee	Harvey	Yes	https://westgardnersolar.com/problems-with-utility-scale-solar-facilities/no-transparency-for-large-land-leasing-activity/
William	Douglas	NextEra Energy, Boulevard Associates, LLC has been trying to blanket our rural community with 3,500 acres of industrial solar since 2021.
Dorothy	Franklin	Orion, solar panels, adjacent to my farm. On major highway to town. We are 2 miles from town.	We moved to rural Franklin County in 1998. My land was settled in 1865. The Orion solar project will be right next door. My property value will plummet. The danger of flying debris from solar panels damaged by storms will put my livestock at risk. I understand as property owners we have rights to our own land usage but not if that usage is detrimental, unsafe, or negatively impactful to our neighbors.
David	Russell	Yes - Grain Belt Express - Invenergy
Timothy	Franklin
Teddy	Franklin
Amy	Harvey	Concurrent B.E.S.S (Lithium Battery Storage)	Our county banned BESS storage. Harvey County sits over a vast aquifer that supports several adjacent counties as well. The city of Halstead, inside our county, does not have to abide by this, apparently. They plan to put in about 70 K lithium batteries on a gravel pad just a few miles from our home. BESS plants have been going up in smoke all over the world, like in the Moss Landing fire in California earlier this year. They had to evacuate within a 6-mile radius and have people shelter in place in a 26-mile radius without HVAC usage. Forever chemicals are released in these toxic fire plumes, which would destroy all the agricultural area surrounding Halstead. We expect property values to decline as there is a significant risk associated with living close to BESS facilities	Please help. The Mayor and the city administrator are swayed by the $ offered by concurrent. There is serious corruption happening in our community. We need help to assess and mitigate our risks.
Elizabeth	KS	Next Era and Orion Ottawa, Franklin County	I bought a small farm (~72 acres) in Ottawa in 2020. I left San Luis Obispo, CA after living there for more than 40 years. California has been fraught with subsidized industrial solar and wind. They are a menace, period. Created from pure greed.
Jacklyn	Miami
Richard	McPherson
Jason	Franklin
Fan	Osage		On Nov 2023 the city council of Osage City approved the mayor to enter into a contract with Evergy for a 1.75MW solar farm. It has been completed. Provisional permits have apparently been issued for other solar farms near Osage City. All this when there was/is a 25 year ban on solar and wind. Passed by the county commissioners. There is something fishy going on in Osage county Kansas. At one meeting about fighting solar farms, a lady stood up to say she was working with the zoning commission to write updated zoning and she said no mention of wind or solar was a good thing. She said her name was miss Davis. I searched the zoning board, SHE IS LISTED AS A MEMBER OF THE BOARD!
Jan	Franklin	Yes. Prairie Sunlight-Orion Renewable Energy	Tons of stress, time, and money trying to stop it.
Daniel	Kansas	NextEra Energy West Gardner Solar Project	Environmental ground water contamination.
Dennis	Sedgwick	N0
Gary	Douglas
Therese	Douglas
Rhonda	Marion	Yes. The name of project is Sunflower Wind and the developer is Orsted .
Will	Franklin
Marci	Butler	No, but my mother owns land in NE that is facing threat of a CO2 pipeline.	A CO2 pipeline is a ticking time bomb that would kill all life within miles of a leak. I have been assisting my mother fighting this on her land in NE. I have also heard of so many people that are facing threats in their community to entities cutting corners all in the name of "green" alternative energy, and no science being provided. Halstead, KS is discussing putting in a lithium battery storage facility over the equus beds there, and that would impact my water supply. Again, corners are being cut. Trasparency is lacking. Government officials intimidating citizens or refusing to answer their questions. And all of it destabilizing our energy infrastructure, and creating new transmission lines that take neighbors' land by eminent domain. It is also a threat to our environment. We tax payers are funding the energy companies' transition and profit, yet not seeing any rate cuts. This is unethical and wrong.
Rhonda	Miami	No
Terrence	Shawnee	Jeffrey Solar Project, NextEra Energy	A building permit has been issued by Jackson County, KS for a Property located inside the Project perimeter. The intention for requesting the Permit was to construct a home for me to move close to my family during my Retirement. A driveway Culvert was installed and approved by the County. The construction process is on hold due to the Solar Project possibility. A calm peaceful Rural setting will be destroyed by an Adjacent Utility-Scale Solar Installation: Heat Island Effect, Visually Awful, High Inverter Noise, and Reduced Property Value. The Proprietary Land Usage Rights of Participating Solar Lessors do No Dot Extend to Causing Harm to Non-Participating Landowners, Otherwise There Would Be No Need For Zoning Laws.
Ernst	Johnson
Levi	Franklin		I'm an economist at the University of Kansas studying the economics of energy. I've written numerous op-eds, conducted seminars for students at KU, and am currently consulting on a private project related to energy. I consider myself well educated on the economics of the grid. I can explain the apparent contradiction between claims that utility-scale solar power is the cheapest form of energy and the fact that utility bills have been rising, even after natural gas markets have come back to normal, and grid reliability is worse than it was 10 years ago. The reality is that utility-scale solar creates significant curtailment and congestion costs, along with higher transmission losses than conventional, reliable, baseload sources. These costs are all passed on to the ratepayer, who bears the burden of subsidized and, perhaps ironically, unsustainable utility-scale solar generation. Put simply, utility-scale solar flips the focus from providing energy when we need it to providing energy when solar can provide it. This is backwards and it imposes significant costs on the public; these costs have the largest impact on the poorest among us, because they act as a regressive tax. The negative externalities these projects impose on the grid and ratepayers are woefully understudied and underestimated.
Nina	Osage	Yes. Don’t know name but in southern Osage county by Evergy.
Doug	Johnson	Yes. West Gardner Solar Project. NextEra Energy.	My name is Doug Billings, a resident of Johnson County, Kansas, and The only currently filed and fee paid candidate for governor of Kansas, running as a Maga conservative committed to protecting our state taxpayers, rural heritage, and economic vitality. As a homeowner, parent, and community member with deep roots in Kansas, I am alarmed by the proposed West Gardner solar project and other utility scale, solar projects, threatening, our states, quality of life, environment, and economic interests. The West Gardner solar project, a proposed 320 kW facility spanning up to 2000 acres and Johnson and Douglas counties, and dangers our communities way of life. It risks degrading our quality of life by transforming serene rural landscapes into industrial zones, with thousands of solar panels and battery storage systems disrupting the aesthetic And cultural value of our countryside. Residence, including myself, cherish the open fields and quiet neighborhoods that define our community - values now at risk without thorough public input or consideration of alternative sites. Environmentally, the project raises, serious concerns. The absence of comprehensive environmental impacts that he leaves unanswered questions about the zinc leeching from panels, battery, storage, safety, and the loss of fertile agricultural land critical to Kansas identity as an agricultural powerhouse. These projects could harm local ecosystems, wildlife corridors, and water quality, yet regulatory processes have sidelined these risks, prioritizing corporate interests over our natural heritage. Economically, the west Gardner project and similar initiatives burden Kansas taxpayers. While proponents to a $320 million investment, the lack of rigorous economic impact studies, obscure the true cost to our communities. Potential declines and property values - estimated by some local studies to be as high as 15 to 25% for homes near solar installations - threaten homeowners financial security. The loss of taxable, agricultural land and increased infrastructure costs for rural areas further strain local budgets. Without transparent cost benefit analysis, these projects risk subsidizing out of state corporations, like NextEra Energy at the expense of Kansas‘s, contradicting my campaign‘s commitment to fiscal responsibility and local control. Community cohesion is also at stake. The West Gardner project has divided neighbors, pitting landowners leasing to developers against those fighting to preserve their property, rights and rural lifestyle. The social toll, coupled with allegations of opaque dealings between developers and county officials, erodes, trust and governance - a concern I aim to address as governor through initiatives like the Kansas Department of Government Efficiency (K-DOGE) to ensure transparency and accountability. As the only currently filed gonial candidate, I stand with representative Carrie Barth and all cannons opposing these projects. They undermine taxpayers by prioritizing corporate profits over our economic stability, and viral, mental integrity, and community values. I urge the court to halt the west Gardner solar project and similar initiatives until comprehensive economic and environmental impacts that are conducted, ensuring Kansas’ future aligns with the Will and welfare of its people. Respectfully submitted, Doug Billings Candidate for Governor of Kansas.
Angie	Franklin	Edwards/Evergy/Orion	I grew up on a farm in southeast Kansas. My grandfather worked tirelessly to build his farm to pass it to my father, and my father has done the same. Farmers are the keepers of the land, it is our responsiblity to keep the integrity of the land. With solar panels overtime causing desertification, potential hazardous chemicals being released in the soil, and in our water sources, I cannot stand by and watch our farm ground be ruined by only a potential output of only 2% of energy that is unreliable. Kansas land in sacred and valuable, it's our food source. Every American, landowner or not, should be concerned about our primary food sources dwindling.
Daniel	Franklin	Prairie Sunlight Project - Orion Renewables
Janene	Cowley
Wanda	Atchison			My son and brothers are all farmers. We need to save our farms.
Patricia	Douglas
Jeff	Franklin	Yes, it is Prairie Sunlight Solar with Orion	Just the proposal of the has already dropped home values in the surronding area. No one in their right mide wants to live next to a utility scale sight like this. Leased property for the project literally adjoins my property.
Carrie	Butler	Evergy Kansas, Central project name Skelly to STR 189	Evergy updated a high voltage transmission mandated by NERC and approved by SPP in 2021. This project is part of the Butler to Altoona, Butler to Tioga, wrecking out of a 100 year old line. The Skelly to STR 189 upgrade is 19ft from my living room, a new 100ft pole with over 5,000 lbs., of equipment violated the law and professional standards Evergy claims to follow. The Skelly to STR 189 upgrade travels through the middle of Graham Park , over playground equipment, 30ft from a child’s splash pad. Evergy has a Franchise agreement with the city that states Evergy holds all liability for electricity to the city, until January 16, 2022 when Evergy had El Dorado sign for the liability concerning Graham Park. Thank you for your consideration and look forward to your call. Sincerely Carrie Shearburn 316-320-3683
Cathleen	Jackson	Yes. Jeffrey Solar	NextEra wants to install a 5,000 acre 500 megawatt industrial solar power plant on land currently zoned for agriculture. NextEra wants a special use permit or conditional use permit that the Jackson County Commissioners first worked in with the help of NextEra and now the Planning board is finalizing the conditional use permit. There are many reasons why everyone who lives here is concerned about this unnecessary (Kansas already exports excess electricity to the Southwest power pool) intermittent energy grift. There is the well researched and documented heat island effect that will not only increase the ambient temperatures in the area but the land will be baked into an impenetrable hard-pack. It has been claimed that wild flowers will be planted or goats will be utilized to graze the grass underneath. The reality is that there are no industrial solar fields with wild flowers that I have seen in my several years of researching this topic. If there are grasses underneath, then we have a HUGE fire hazard every spring. Ask any local fire fighter about how often a controlled burn becomes a wildfire. It happens every single year and multiple times in spring. And most of the fire departments in Jackson County are volunteer fire departments. The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation is the only full time fire department in the county. They will help but their main focus will be the lands on the reservation first. Hail, high winds, and tornadoes are an annual reality that have the potential to cause excessive damage since 5,000 acres full of solar panels is a big target. Just research the destruction by storms in Iowa, Texas, and Nebraska. It’s not speculation but a reality. And how does one clean up neighbor’s lands, especially those that did not participate but now have their lands covered in destroyed solar panels. What happens to the water table? In our case, what happens when the agriculture lands are forever destroyed and the hard packed soil which once absorbed and slowly drained now floods the town of Rossville after each and every rainfall. There’s also the wildlife rich lands that will be dug up, poles pounded into, and the land driven over with heavy machinery. Where do all those animals that live above and below ground? Why do all the non-participants have to absorb the gas-out from the wildlife that will be killed and forever displaced? Putting this 5,000 acre 500 megawatt industrial solar power plant will destroy this small town forever. Most of the lease signers don’t even live in the county and a few don’t even live in the state. Jackson County and Delia especially has been targeted by NextEra and we will pay dearly for generations to come if this grift is allowed to installed. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.	NextEra willingly did not research what land they would be destroying when they install their industrial solar power plant. The animals will be killed and displaced should be a serious concern.
Sarah	Franklin
Deborah	Jefferson
Courtney	Douglas		We lived in a proposed path for wind, and it would completely destroy our quality of life on our small farm with 3 young kids. We moved away from the suburbs to get away from development and this would force life-altering changes for us.
Richard	Shawnee	FreeState		Solar alters our environment and alters weather patterns. Solar companies quote maximum outputs that are never reached. Weather or after panels exceed 77 degrees (F) they start producing less. The panels are hot plates that retain heat long after sunset. Southern California desert, where a large solar farm is, killed the ecosystem under and around it. The Sahara desert has flooded in 2024 Africa has some of the largest soar farms on the planet.
Bradley	IL	Alta Farms - Wind Farm developed by Trade Wind acquired by Enel	Please review the attached analysis of wind energy development that I prepared in support of Arkansas Senate Bill 437, now The Arkansas Wind Energy Development Act. Although my detailed analysis references a specific wind energy project proposed for Northwestern Arkansas, there is a wealth of valuable insight and information that applies equally to on-shore wind development anywhere in America. Best Regards, Bradley D. Barnes, MBA
Phillip	Douglas
Jill	Johnson
Brenda	Franklin	Franklin County. Against Solar & Wind farms.	I have land in Franklin county Kansas & Coffey County Kansas
Debbie	Johnson	West Gardner project		We must stop the federal funding for wind and solar projects. They are not sufficient in producing the electricity we need. Kansas must get back to energy independence. Nuclear and coal. Our coal is very clean.
Mary	I live in Missouri.	Yes. There are 2. The Show Me State Solar Development by DESRI & Ranger Power and a second project being developed by Savion. avion. Project location is Callaway County, MO	The reassignment of our state's prime farmland for energy conversion will have significant negative impacts on our existing agricultural economy, with the potential to destroy our existing agricultural communities. The solar industry markets utility-scale solar as a "win-win" for the community, but this is false. When crops are no longer grown on the land, the agricultural businesses that supported those activities will cease to exist (examples: seed sales, fertilizer sales, equipment sales & repair). It is easy to foresee a cascade of secondary business failures, with the loss of many jobs and much income for our County. Because solar energy is dilute, intermittent and unreliable, it cannot efficiently meet our Nation's demands for increasing power, and its increasing use places the functioning of our electricity grid in jeopardy. This issue is much larger than "landowner rights" versus " not in my backyard" arguments. Indeed, the security of our Nation's food supply and the security of our Electricity supply are at-risk. The attached letter was submitted to Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey's Office in March 2025. This letter outlines my major concerns.	I hope the farmers are successful in their efforts to stop construction of this solar farm. Perhaps the Missouri Attorney General's Office will pursue action if the Kansas suit is successful.
Patricia	Ford	Yes - Longbranch Solar LLC - Invenergy
Phillip	Ford	Yes - Longbranch Solar - Invenergy
Emilie	KS	Yes. Grain belt express, Invenergy.	I am a small system operators for the water and waist side for the city of Ford in Ford County. Although I understand the use of KDHE and EPA rules, I am concerned that with the new transmission line and solar panels coming in. There will be a lot more put on small system operators like me that is having a hard time keeping up and being compliant. I feel like bigger companies like Invenergy can pay their way through getting what they want without repercussion or more work on their part. Instead of doing what is right in reasonable for the smaller people such as the city of Ford. Invenergy has gotten as far as they have by peeling to short term greed, instead of long-term damage.
Harvey	Ford	Yes, Longbranch Solar LLC and Invenergy
Douglas	Ford
Carla	Ford County	Yes, we live by the Boot Hill Solar Project and	Our family has lived, farmed, and actively contributed to this community for generations. We are writing to express serious concerns about the Boot Hill Solar Project (Resolution #2024-09), which has recently been approved, as noted in open-source articles and the January Ford County Commissioners’ minutes. While we support responsible innovation and have embraced renewable energy ourselves—our family farm includes wind turbines that coexist with our agricultural operations—we are deeply troubled by the effects of large-scale solar farms. Unlike wind energy, which allows continued land use and preservation, solar installations fundamentally alter the landscape. They are not only visually disruptive but, more importantly, they degrade the land in ways that we believe are irreversible. We own property adjacent to the Boot Hill project and have seen firsthand the potential damage. Based on our research and growing evidence, solar farms can lead to permanent soil degradation, making the land unsuitable for future agricultural use, pasturing, or other productive purposes. This is especially concerning in a region like southwest Kansas, where land stewardship and agricultural viability are central to our identity and economy. In addition, we are alarmed by studies indicating potential environmental hazards linked to large-scale solar developments. These include: Radiative heat effects, which may contribute to localized temperature increases and potentially intensify storm activity. Hazardous materials, such as cadmium in solar panels, which pose contamination risks if panels are damaged or improperly disposed of. Physical vulnerability, as panels are susceptible to wind and hail—both common in our region—raising concerns about the safety and sustainability of the infrastructure. Water usage, which can range from 2 to 4 gallons per watt installed, depending on the technology. In an area already facing water scarcity, this is a serious issue. We ask: Do the promised benefits of these projects truly outweigh the long-term costs to our environment, agricultural heritage, and public health? From our perspective, the answer is no.	We urge you and other decision-makers to take a more cautious and comprehensive look at the consequences of this project before moving forward. Our community deserves an energy future that is both sustainable and respectful of the land we depend on.
Rodney	Ford	Long Branch Solar LLc	Our story is in the "friends of the court" documents
Brenda	Ford	Long Branch Solar, LLC	During installation it will affect our road conditions, disrupt our peaceful rural life style and manifest a lot of blowing dust. When installed it has the potential to affect my property values, my crop production, the wild life now living in our area and my way of life. We choose to live rural peaceful lives uninterrupted by industrial construction and industrial business.	our comments and story are submitted in the friends of the Courts documents
Roberta	Sherman		We own land in Ford Co. The proposed Grain Belt transmission/connector line is mapped to cross our land, following an abandoned railroad right-of-way. This right-of-way is in the process of being returned to the landowners, as per the agreement with the railroad when it was built. The energy company told us they would not have considered this route had the ROW not appeared on a map. The route should be re-mapped, since the ROW will soon be returned to landowners and will no longer exist as a railroad ROW. Of great concern, is a private airstrip on the adjacent land. The runways (north/south, east/west) literally sit on the border of the two properties. The proposed route will render this airstrip useless from three directions. The proposed route also places the line very close to the town of Ford, increasing health risks and other interferences. A very feasible alternate route has been submitted to the energy company and the KCC. That route would avoid the airstrip and population centers.	We stand with the farmers, businessmen and families to protect our land and way of life in Kansas.
Mike	Crawford	Shasta (Solar) and EDF (Wind)	I moved back to southeast Kansas to enjoy rural lifestyle. I have since purchased a quarter section and built a house on it. With a potential wind farm coming around me it has been demoralizing, frustrating to hear the lies that have been spread by the developers. There is no regard for the individuals that live next to these projects. They go to county commissioner meetings and promise the moon and claim there are no adverse effects with their project. The lies start from the get go. After negotiating best terms with largest land owners they then tell every other property owner that the project is going to happen and that you might as well get paid since it is going up right next to you. Many property owners take that as face value and sign the lease. Especially, the older and less tech savvy property owners would not know how to research potential issues or afford an attorney to review their contract. On top of everything they make sure to have their “gag” clauses so people don’t talk. In my personal situation I have put everything I have to buy and build home and if this project goes through would expect any equity that I may have acquired will dissipate with loss property value. I have three young children and will have to consider relocating if this happens and not sure I can express how angry and unjust the whole situation is.
Phil	MI	Yes. Consumers Energy	See project summary attached	The noise from the inverters is limited to 55 decibels. We are concerned about the health risk to residents, the adverse effect on horse breeding and the raising of honeybees.
Diane	Osage	North Harrier Solar Project - Evergy
Daniel	Johnson	Yes. Evergy, Osage County	Solar projects would be devastating to the surrounding wildlife, livestock and property values.
Darby	Bandera County, Texas	Yes	Every day I have bouts of diarrhea and headaches. Dizziness at times these are the same things that I had that put me in the hospital while living in Aztec, New Mexico.	I am highly sensitive to all of this stuff. I moved to Bandera, Texas because it did not have anything in the vicinity that included EMS. One day I was driving down the road and all of a sudden, I experienced a massive headache and dizziness and then later realize that I was driving through a solar farm.
Charlotte	Sedgwick	Sedgwick county is slated to have a large project. I don't know the name of it.
Rochelle	Anderson	YES, NEET SW
Emilie	Ford	Boot Hill solar/ Grand belt express	Hello, my name is Emilie Carr. I’ve been working for the city of Ford as the water/west water operator for going on 4 years now and I have been trying to learning what my job is and trying to do it to the best of my ability. It has not been an easy or pretty journey and with the lead and copper rule from Oct. 2024 has been a big mountain to climb. But with the learning and continuing education I have a lot about how fragile or aquifers have become. The city this is a drinking aquifer and we have been fighting high nitrates for decades the city is not capable of getting the filtration system it means there has not been much help from government. My biggest fear is when there are solar panel farms and transmission lines with in a mile of town. What effect will that have on the community? There are so many questions unanswered. Because i know what was ill informed about what was going on that I was not able to ask my question and voice my concerns. The biggest thing that scares me is when you do try to find hush-hush her new information is given or any helpful information that’s given. It seems like there has not been enough research or testing anything about this it feels like a small towns like fours are of the white lab rats and we’re hoping for the best. It take a lot of work to keep my operator listen with out having more rules or restrictions. KDHE has made it almost impossible to be Compliance without any extra help. My biggest concern is how it’s going to change the small town dynamic or static. I like to go camping ,kayaking, hiking, and occasionally Pheasant hunting but in the past 20 years I have noticed the bucks are not the monsters they used to be, and the pheasants are almost as rare as a unicorn. I remember being younger and seeing a pheasant or 10 just driving down the road in a day was not a big deal. But now just seeing one lonely bird is the top store of the day at the dinner table. I didn’t move to a bigger town or city because I didn’t want to see ugly structures that have no benefit to me and having to hear random headache causing noises that I am unable to control. I have heard the famous line “ this will make 100s of now jobs.” But like I mentioned before there has don’t been any clear transparency on what those jobs are and how long they will be here.	I LOVE taking Sunday drives to just are in Gods country and see his work on growing things. May that be plants or animals growing. There something about it that is calming, refreshing, relaxing, or whatever you want to call it. There is nothing about solar panels and power lines that is any of those things. P.s. the first time i heard the name “gain belt express” i was thanking it was gonna have something about a giant train with nothing but gain carts. Or maybe a convoy of trucks.
Roberta	Ford	Grain Belt Express	The proposed transmission line would run at an angle across our land, following an abandoned RR track. The tracks have long since been removed and an attorney was working to get the entire track route returned to the land-owners, which by law, should have happened when the track was abandoned. That work had stalled and we've seen no progress in a long while. The development company admitted they would not have selected the route crossing our land, if it hadn't been for the "RR right of way". We certainly do not want an easement across our property when we are in the process of having the right of way returned to us as land-owners. There is also grass airstrip adjacent to our property. The development company assured me they would not proceed with a route that interfered with an airstrip -- so far, they have not acknowledged the airstrip or changed the route in any way to accommodate for it.	I know this is being submitted after the deadline, however, it may be useful information for future complaints or lawsuits you may be involved in. We are very concerned about the land consumption all these projects eat up; the attack on our rural way of life; the health issues related to high voltage electric lines; environmental issues and damages created by wind and solar power, etc.
Ray	Johnson	West Gardner Solar	Environmental damage, erosion from runoff, ground water and surface water contamination from leached metals from solar equipment and herbicides used to control vegetation, noise pollution during and after construction, property value degradation, destruction of rural views, destruction of “all natural “ cattle herd.	I’m particularly concerned about dangerous health affects from contamination of our well water and our food raised downstream from the project surrounding our property on two sides. We’re alarmed at the lack of fire control preparedness for battery storage facilities and inability to protect us from chemical contamination in the event of fire.
Judith	Woodson	Yes, a potential solar project in Coffey County, and possibly one in Wilson County.	I own land and live adjacent to a substation and transmission lines already cross my land. I have recently had to extend the area taken for the transmission line. I have family members who own farmland and agricultural property within the county. Below are my thoughts. 1. My concern is the environmental, productive, and aesthetic impacts that such a power plant would have on my 40 wooded acres where I reside. My property is located adjacent to the city limits and to electric substation owned by Evergy. I have a concern a solar projects might be pushed upon me because of my location to such an existing structure. 2. Deer, turkey, quail and other wildlife currently occupy this land with me and my neighbors. “We”-each of us- need confidence that environmental considerations be of utmost importance and protected. 3. My understanding is the Inflation Reduction Act provisions has increased the probability of solar (and other) projects in my area because of the transferability of federal tax credits for such green energy projects. Do such credits expose my land to land grabs? How would I know if such credits transferred came from a project held accountable for appropriate environmental studies and thus an entity receiving them locally were even eligible under the NEPA requirements? 4. I have seen other development plans not be thought out adequately and left local communities with the damaged property and in some cases the property removed from local property assessment base, driving our taxes even higher. 5. A solar project that will damage my property value would be catastrophic financially for me and my neighbors. It could damage the land itself, and thus potentially affect my health. Coffey County has a nuclear power plant supplying clean energy just immediately north of my county, and we are not hurting for electric power within our own region, yet a solar power project has been proposed in that county! I believe I could be subjected to a “rural” area solar plant and the hazards of such, and a potential of a forced land grab for distribution of a product to places thousands of miles away.
Pamela	Jackson County	Yes, I believe the project is Jeffrey Solar and the Developer is NextEra Energy	My husband and I live directly west across the county road from land leased for a potential utility-scale solar site. So far, a solar field will be across our property on one side. I do understand that Nextera Energy continues to sign leases, there is the possibility that our 26 acres could be surrounded on all four sides by thousands of solar panels if this project continues. Lisa Huppe, a real estate agent out of Leawood, Kansas, representing at least a hundred real estate agents in and around the KC area, testified before committee at the state capitol that even if abutted on one side by solar panels, property values fall. The percentage on value loss is directly proportional to the number of sides a property is surrounded. She was talking about property value decreases of 50% or more. Our Jackson County Commissioners do not care and continue to develop solar (renewable energy) regulations despite the local outcry against it. Environmentally, the heavy metals and materials used in solar panels could affect water quality in the area. We have a private well on our property and are flanked on two sides by man-made lakes. The bulldozing required to build the purported 5,000 acre project will literally uproot native grassland and vegetation, causing a greatly increased risk of flooding and contamination caused directly by this project. Our family being surrounded and stranded by flood waters after this project is a real possibility. Native wildlife will be negatively affected. Currently, we have deer, coyotes, bobcats, mountain lions, badgers, and migratory birds all within a mile of our property. The two man-made lakes are used by geese, and probably other birds, as a part of their migratory patterns. The permanent and seasonal homes of all of these animals will be destroyed. I'm happy to cooperate and share any other information in the Amicus brief that might help to win this civil action lawsuit. We're not done fighting yet. Thank you.	Email address: brownpam@embarqmail.com
Terrence	Shawnee	Jeffrey Solar	It has been the plan for 20 years to move to the area at the heart of the project, upon reaching an advanced age. A building permit has been issued and a drain culvert installed. Living surrounded by acres of glass panels in what is now a peaceful serene setting is a living nightmare to be FORCED to do. Sovereign Property rights claims by solar lessors do not include the right to harm their neighbors. Many of the lessors do not live in the affected area.
Gary	Johnson
Stephanie	Douglas	West Gardner Solar	The pending West Gardner Solar project negatively impacts our quality of life, the serenity of our property and surrounding area, and we fear it will negatively impact our property values, and all the property values in our immediate area.
Monica	Johnson	Nextera	They want to surround my 65 acre property with 5 square miles of solar panels. That will decrease my property value and can contaminate my well and pond water as well as cause flooding on my property as I am one of the lowest elevations in the area.
LISA	KS	West Gardner Solar	Concerns about our future health, property value and overall enjoyment of our home environment.
Charles	Sumner	Kansas Cooperative Sun Power Program by Today’s Power, Inc.	Our county, (Sumner) is slated to become a hub of wind and solar projects -- and many of said projects are already in place. These projects have already caused significant damage to our community. I have spoken with many homeowners who have been directly impacted by the projects, and they have given a long list of issues they are having since the projects have been completed, including but not limited to; mitigation of quality of life, decimation of the natural landscape beauty, noise and frequency disturbances, property devaluations ( often significant) , unknown long term and immediate environmental impacts. I am very concerned that our county and others throughout the region are being turned into industrial lands, which will in time be no longer be viable for people or animals for the reasons listed above.
Virginia	Allen County Kansas	Yes, 96.4 Mile long 345kV Wolf Creek-Blackberry JTIQ Transmission Line built by Nextera Transmission LLC	The 345 kV JTIQ Transmission Line dissected Southeast Kansas Diagonally leaving 1.3 M acres located over a 6 County Area exposed to future development of Industrial solar, wind, and battery storage. The exposure to this type of development was not apparent to landowners in 2022, not until understanding the JTIQ designation was solely designed to carry DC as well as AC current to markets outside of Kansas. During the Siting process required by Kansas Statute under the authority of the Kansas Corporation Commission, obligations to host public hearings, notification of landowners, and the interceding of Southwest Power Pool's authority to change Kansas Statute defining "necessity" of a transmission line that would not serve rate payers in Kansas revealed the disregard for state law. Stripping away protections outlined in statute and changing the guidelines of what was deemed relevant to the approval of the line dictated the outcome. During the hearings what was revealed was the lack of attention to the Enviromental Impact, the manipulation of the siting path that increased economic pain to many property owners, and the conflict of interest for many officials making the final decision. The final approval of the Line left 159 landowners facing Eminent Domain of their property and use of the land from a 96 mile long by 250 wide easements across yards, swimming pools, homes as well. Presently in 2024, 17 counties in Southeast Kansas are battling special use permits for Industrial solar, wind, and battery being issued by County Commissions. The footprint of these projects given the green light as of November of 2023 impacted 57,351 acres for solar and 208,875 acres for wind for SEKS counties. This figure does not reflect the 2,600 MW of Battery Storage nor Transmission feeder lines that will impact property owners adjoining these sites. In Allen County a host of solar projects are being embraced by cities who are signing contracts under non-disclosures and fore fitting the capability of generating base load power on their own. A significant rise in brownouts is occurring on a regular basis and control over power supply now rest outside of elected officials. The revenue from the sales of electric no longer props up the city budgets and shortfalls in funds are now solved with raising mil rates on property owners. Contruction of the Industrial Solar is to begin shortly as will the increase in taxes that will be needed to fund the 30%. The enchantment with green is fading quickly among citizens and most of us will be bracing for the tax increases and businesses closing shop. We already see it happening to the economy on main street as stores struggle to stay open. Kansas landowners are now prey to elected officials, as well as subsidy driven tax credits.	In closing, what has descended upon rural Kansas communities can be compared to a plague of locust. The distrust and misbehavior motivated by money has left a stain on the history pages of our state. We are rural by choice, free to enjoy the beautiful landscapes and environment of the outdoors. Now our quality of life once enjoyed by rural people is diminished. Those of us who spend many hours at government meetings should be home taking care of our families. Those of us who have chosen to stand find that the fellowship of working together with people who we never met has brought some good from this stressful time. We have work on legislation to no avail, brought complaints against companies who possess solar panels that violate the Human Rights Treaties of our nation without results, and watched lobbyist make light of owning property. I am in hopes that the Civil Action of this Amicus Brief will give hope to all those counties who face similar situations. We are thankful for the courage of these plaintiffs. Virginia Crossland-Macha Iola, Ks
Mashell	Douglas	Yes and I don't know names	Cuz I don't want to look at their solar junkyard I've lived in my own whole life and I won't	The people around here don't benefit from their solar junkyard. I had to spend $30,000 on solar on my roof just not to pay a bill to Casey p&l or everg and to pay my bill to the solar panel people in China
Ellen	Marshall		We do not have solar yet, but we have NextEra turbines along with their hazards. The turbine blade flew apart in 2023 and the fiberglass still lays in the hay field. Every time it rains, does this fiberglass make its way further down the streams? It has to, making the water unsafe for our cattle.
Sage	Bourbon	Hinton Creek, nextera	My family lives about 200 yards away from what we hear they're trying to develop into a BESS battery bank storage and solar field. They have already put in wind turbines on about 2000 acres locally and if they do this it will turn the native prairie into an industrial wasteland. The initial proposal was 25' setback away from roads and structures or dwellings! Not only would this destroy our property value of our 45 acres, on which we organically farm raising vegetables, honey, and beef and lamb, but we are very concerned it would harm our own and our kids health. The WHO initially suggested a safe setback of 1.2 miles and they're talking 25'! If you read "the body electric" by Robert Becker you will see how the body uses intricate electrical signals for mitosis and everyday function of the whole body. They also prove that too much current can cause run away cellular mitosis (cancer). We've started up at night for a year or so worrying sick about this because we really can't move everything for many reasons. Thank you for helping to stop this!
Catherine	Johnson	I do, but unsure of the names.	I am concerned about the farm land being taken away, harmful run offs into the Hillsdale watershed, property value decreases and unsightly endless solar panels in the largest Midwest solar project.
Nina	Johnson
Jessica	Douglas	Not at the current time		I am grateful that there are no Utility-Scale projects near me. I do, however, live in an area where a few families own a lot of the land, which they currently farm. I could absolutely see them being approached by these developers and I do hope they'd send them on their way. I do not believe these projects in any way benefit the communities in which they are placed. I further believe they are detrimental to the environment and could be detrimental to the health of individuals living nearby. I appreciate that this Amicus brief is being filed and I'm proud to add my signature.
William	KANSAS	Linn County Kansas has had numerous utility scale solar and wind projects that have been fought for years.
Vicki	Johnson	Yes, Gardner-Paola project	I was looking at land in southern JoCo and Miami counties when I learned about the solar projects. It’s terribly loud, destroys habitat , the farmland becomes useless due to the toxicity from the panels	Please quit destroying our property, our farmland. Solar nor wind is green energy.