15 Morris Sites Considered For New Solar Projects

Looking for future cost savings that would benefit Morris County, the board of chosen freeholders is reviewing 15 possible sites in the area that could house solar panels to produce energy.

The governing body and the Morris County Improvement Authority held a meeting this week to provide the public with information and answer questions about the potential projects, resulting in the analysis of each potential site’s viability.

“Each unbuilt renewable energy site has been reviewed in terms of its long-term potential to generate revenue to help offset financial losses suffered in the county’s previous solar endeavor, and its potential to reduce energy costs for the local government entity where solar panels would be installed,” a statement from Morris County said.

During the meeting, Freeholders took some time to beat back claims made by Morris County Sheriff Edward Rochford, who allegedly made robo-calls to some 10,000 residents over the weekend in regards to the solar project.

“The sheriff, in his calls to some 10,000 residents on behalf of the New Jersey Taxpayers’ Association, urged county residents to attend Monday night’s meeting, saying, ‘The are (the freeholders) considering building more controversial solar projects even though the current projects are losing millions of your dollars,’” according to the county.

“Contrary to what Sheriff Rochford was telling people on his robo-calls to county residents over the weekend, the goal of our current solar or renewable energy project review is to minimize future potential financial exposure for our taxpayers, to help reimburse them for past losses, and to ensure that any future steps we take are fiscally sound,’’ said Freeholder David Scapicchio.

“I’m not sure what expertise Sheriff Rochford can offer on solar issues. The sheriff’s calls were odd – like his behavior in the past year – but he probably did us a favor to invite people to come out and be part of this discussion.’’

The county is now undertaking a process to determine the viability of moving ahead with the unbuilt sites, with a primary emphasis on construction and financial viability with the help of the Morris County Improvement Authority.

Decisions are expected to be made in the fall.