With billions on the line and utility-scale solar driving its own economy, will local opposition push the state to centralize control

There is a paradoxical twist in the ongoing debate over utility-scale solar projects in Virginia. With so much resistance at the local level, like the recent denial of the Gabriel Solar project in Prince Edward County, its starting to feel like the corporations pursuing these large-scale solar installations might actually welcome these denials. Why? Because every time a county says no, it adds fuel to the argument that local governments are too divided or unwilling to support renewable energy projects. This, in turn, could push the Virginia legislature to step in and take the decision-making process out of local hands altogether.

Take the situation in Patrick County, for example. Two members of the Planning Commission drove six hours to speak at a public hearing in Prince Edward County, showing just how contentious these solar projects have become. The opposition is passionate and well-organized, with many residents and local officials raising concerns about land use, environmental impact, and the sheer scale of these projects. But heres the paradox: by digging in their heels and saying no to every proposal, opponents might be inadvertently speeding up the process of losing local control.

The all-or-nothing approach against utility-scale solar is creating a standoff. On one side, you have corporations and renewable energy advocates arguing that these projects are essential for meeting climate goals and transitioning to cleaner energy. On the other side, you have local communities pushing back, worried about the impact on their landscapes, property values, and way of life. But as more counties reject these projects, the state government may see this as evidence that local governments cant or wont make the tough decisions needed to advance renewable energy.

And lets not forget the billions of dollars at play here. Utility-scale solar is driving its own economy in Virginia, creating jobs, attracting investment, and generating tax revenue. For lawmakers, this economic engine is hard to ignore. At what point does the economic interest of the Commonwealth become the primary driver for solar construction? When the financial benefits—both immediate and long-term—outweigh the local concerns, the state may decide it cant afford to let individual counties stand in the way of progress.

In other words, the very resistance thats meant to protect local interests could end up stripping those communities of their ability to decide. If the Virginia legislature decides to centralize the approval process for utility-scale solar, it could override local objections and fast-track projects across the state. For the corporations behind these solar installations, that might be a welcome outcome. After all, dealing with one state-level decision-maker would be far easier than navigating the patchwork of county-level approvals and denials.

So, while the hard work of those opposing these projects is understandable—rooted in genuine concerns about land use, community impact, and environmental considerations—it might be pushing the state toward a solution that no one on the local level wants. Its a classic case of unintended consequences, where the fight to maintain control could end up handing it over to someone else entirely. The question now is whether opponents of utility-scale solar can find a middle ground—one that allows for renewable energy development while still respecting local voices. If not, the state might just decide to take the reins, leaving everyone to wonder if the battle was worth it.