Sedgwick County Commissioners deny two solar farm proposals after months of advocacy and deliberation.
Lori Lawrence, Solar for Sedgwick County Coalition member and Sierra Club Southwind Group member
For more than six months, Sierra Club worked with other organizations to organize support for utility-scale solar farms in Sedgwick County.
Volunteers show up to the Aug 5, 2026 Sedgwick County Commission hearing in support of two proposed solar farm projects: Galena and Branchline | Photos courtesy of Lori Lawrence
On Wednesday, August 5, Sedgwick County Commissioners rejected two large-scale solar projects (Galena and Branchline). Because of Galena's continuous efforts with community outreach, their overwhelming patience and transparency, and the addition of battery storage (which the Branchline project didn't offer), the Sierra Club watched the County Commissioners deliberate with special interest.
Strong Union turnout did not sway the commission. Thirty members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers showed up in support of the Galena project, which would have provided 12 months of work here at home.
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers show up to Aug 5, 2026 Sedgwick County Commission hearing in support of the Galena project | Photo courtesy of Lori Lawrence
After 7 long hours of testimony and a lengthy discussion among Commission members, Commissioner Jeff Blubaugh read a three-page printed motion to deny the Galena Solar Project.
In contrast, Sedgwick County Commissioner Ryan Baty argued that farmers have the right to decide how to use their land. Before voting against rejecting the project, Baty said he didn't want to look farmers in the face and tell them farming was the only option for their land.
We lost this time, but we're not giving up. The rise of solar power is inevitable. Energy needs and prices, the climate crisis, and soil degradation will soon motivate change. Small, family farms won't survive without the opportunity to diversify their land use. It's already clear that the wheat harvest will be poor this year. Solar payments as an alternative to farming can save these financially struggling farms.
We'll be watching as the County works to revise its solar permitting regulations. We'll be there to educate the Commission about the benefits of solar energy and we'll continue to advocate for future solar development and the life changing effects it can have for local landowners.