I’m Standing With Stockton — and Working to Protect Baldwin County
“People want transparency. They want a voice. And they deserve both.”—Guest Opinion by Mike "Van' Vandenheuvel
Guest Opinion by Mike "Van' Vandenheuvel
Let me be clear: I am 100% opposed to the proposed solar farm near Stockton, and I stand with the people of Stockton in their right to decide what happens in their community.
Over the past several weeks, I have listened closely to residents, attended the town hall, and spoken with people across Baldwin County. I’m grateful for the feedback. I’m learning more each day, and I welcome the insight of those who live here and care deeply about their community.
The proposal calls for a utility-scale solar facility covering roughly 4,500 acres — including significant wetland areas — to generate electricity for a planned Meta data center. This is not a small renewable project. It is industrial-scale development that would transform thousands of acres of rural land.
Projects of this size demand careful planning, clear standards, and strong local oversight to ensure growth does not come at the expense of our communities, infrastructure, and natural resources.
What I’m hearing from people isn’t political talking points. These are real concerns about land use, environmental impact, drainage, and what a project this size could mean for daily life. People want transparency. They want a voice. And they deserve both.
One important fact that hasn’t received enough attention is that Alabama already has a legal framework for regulating large-scale energy facilities. In 2013, the Legislature passed Act 2013-440, giving the Baldwin County Commission authority to regulate wind-energy facilities and establish related oversight measures. The intent was to give local governments the tools they need when new types of large energy infrastructure projects emerge.
That existing law could serve as a starting point for addressing projects of this scale today. Because it already applies to wind energy facilities, it could be updated to include other utility-scale energy developments (such as a solar farm) so counties have clear authority over siting, environmental safeguards, and community protections.
Exploring this legal pathway is not about supporting this project. It is about preventing future conflicts and ensuring local communities are protected.
If I’m elected, I will make it a priority to ensure Baldwin County has the tools it needs to manage growth responsibly. We can protect our communities, respect local voices, and safeguard our natural resources while ensuring any future development is handled transparently and responsibly.
Even if this proposal is stopped, another large-scale project could appear tomorrow. Our county deserves a clear framework to guide growth and protect what makes this place home.
Mike "Van' Vandenheuvel, Candidate for Alabama State Senate District 32
For more information on Mike “Van” Vandenheuvel, visit https://www.mikevanforalabama.com
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