A recent article in the Times News announced plans for the sale of 122 acres of forested land in Penn Forest Township for a solar and hydrogen energy project. (“Solar company announces plans for Penn Forest property,” tnonline.com, May 12, 2021).

The developer, Enerkon Solar International Inc., plans to use the site for a utility-scale solar farm and a facility to convert solar energy into hydrogen.

The chosen site for this project is along the northeast extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike in the vicinity of the Route 903 Turnpike Interchange. This is an area of exceptional biological diversity in the Poconos. It is within easy reach of the Penn Forest Tract of Weiser State Forest and the Mud Swamp Natural Area of Hickory Run State Park. Little Beaver Lake, a popular fishing spot along Route 903 just south of the interchange, would be used as a water source needed in electrolysis (hydrogen production). The developer further states: “We shall take advantage of the land area also to install a new agri-tech pilot project on the site using hydroponic and other technology for indoor food production using green technology.”

According to the developer, the project is in line with the Biden administration’s “Green New Deal” policy. I fail to see anything “green” about the loss of a hundred-plus acres of ecologically valuable habitat in the Pocono bioreserve for a project that will benefit neither the local community nor the environment.

More information about the project is available here: Enerkon Solar International Inc. (ENKS) announces the purchase of 122 acres of commercial land to establish the planned 20 MW Solar and Hydrogen Plant facility (streetinsider.com).

Juliet Perrin

Albrightsville