Fredonia to install solar farm
FREDONIA — City commissioners decided Dec. 21 to move forward with installing a solar farm to help diversify its energy production.
Commissioners signed a $4.2 million contract with Priority Power Management. Work on the solar farm is expected to begin in April and be completed by July 13, according to the Wilson County Citizen.
The Texas-based PPM has partnered with the city on power issues for more than a decade, the Citizen reported, and has completed solar farms in other cities, including Beloit, which is now fully functional.
The solar farm will be located in the city’s industrial park.
Neosho County sues wind farm company
ERIE — Neosho County commissioners began litigation last week against Apex Clean Energy, a Virginia-based company responsible for development of the county’s Neosho Ridge wind farm.
Commissioners maintain Apex has been negligent in fully repairing county roads used during the wind farm’s construction in 2019, according to The Chanute Tribune. At issue is a 6.5 mile stretch and smaller portions elsewhere.
Commissioners are asking for $2 million in compensation to repair the roads, the Tribune reported.
Bird watchers take part in annual count
ST. PAUL — Bird watchers flocked to the Neosho Wildlife Area southeast of St. Paul to participate in the annual Christmas bird count, according to the Parsons Sun.
More than 90 species were identified among an estimated 35,000-40,000 birds counted.
The annual bird count began in 1976 and has continued without fail, the Sun reported.
Birds are surveyed across a 15-mile diameter circle that stretches from Erie to northern Parsons and from near Galesburg to the Neosho State Fishing Lake.
Leading the effort was Andrew Burnett, who serves as vice president of the Southeast Kansas Audubon Society.
