Lexington Mayor Vetoes Solar Zoning Amendment Despite Farmland Protections and Customer Bill Benefits

The ZOTA Would Open No Greater Than 1% of Fayette County Land to Agrivoltaic Solar Projects

LEXINGTON, Kentucky — On Friday (9/18), Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton announced her decision to veto a zoning ordinance text amendment (ZOTA) previously passed by the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council. The ZOTA, which passed with eight yes to seven no Council votes, would open no greater than one percent of Fayette County, including agriculturally zoned land, for large-scale agrivoltaic solar development. Agrivoltaic solar sites allow for both farming and renewable energy production on one shared site, preserving both soil quality and local farming.

In order for Lexington and Fayette County to achieve their respective emission reduction goals, large-scale solar development is essential. Large-scale solar on one percent of Fayette County land would generate as much power as over 30,000 smaller, rooftop solar installations, cleaning up local air pollution and keeping energy costs affordable for Kentuckians.

While the ZOTA would set standards for private companies, local utilities like East Kentucky Power Coop (EKPC) would still only need approval of the Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) in order to pursue large solar projects. Still, the PSC has shown its willingness to comply with legal ordinances surrounding renewable energy zoning. If approved, the ZOTA’s detailed standard — agrivoltaic farms on no greater than one percent of land — could provide the PSC with a valuable framework by which to judge future utility-scale solar projects. The PSC previously approved EKPC’s 40 MW agrivoltaic Bluegrass Plains Solar Farm in 2024.

In response to Mayor Gorton’s veto, Joey Shadowen, Chair of the Kentucky Chapter, issued the following statement:  

“The Mayor has made the wrong decision for Fayette County. Agrivoltaic solar farms on limited land are Lexington and Fayette County’s best chance at a sustainable energy future. By combining traditional agricultural and renewable energy, these dual purpose developments allow for cheaper energy and preserved local industry. Ultimately, the way to protect local farmland is for the ZOTA to stand.”

In addition, Judith Humble, the Chair of the Bluegrass Climate Action Team said, “Without the solar ZOTA, according to Kentucky law, Fayette County’s farmland is not protected from utility companies developing large solar projects. As such, the mayor’s veto opened the land to utility companies who want to develop large utility projects, her claims to the contrary notwithstanding.”