Solar Farm VS Farmland

A Solar Farm big as the Eyes Can See

Note, this was written January 10 2012

Recently, I have been made aware of a trend in New Jersey. This is the idea using farmland for solar farms or wind turbines.
Now, I am all for using alternative energy sources, but gobbling farmland with solar farms is replacing building homes since the decline of the real estate market.
Community Energy of Radnor Pa
While I served on the Millville Zoning Board there was a prop to build on land that was to be developed as housing. The biggest concern was the noise issue since Millville does not have the amount of farmland like Beuna.

Same Solar Company in Vineland

There are multiple proposals for solar energy generating facilities on currently cultivated farmland in South Jersey. I believe there are more suitable locations for this industry, such as landfills or brownfields.  Due to this industry being considered an inherent beneficial use, the solar industry  is using this classification to step onto farmlands to the detriment of agriculture and land preservation in this state. 

Solar energy generating facilities should not be permitted within agricultural zoned areas. To allow this practice to continue is wrong and not in the best interest of the citizens of New Jersey. The decision for large scale utility should be left to the discretion of municipal planners and not have this industry “forced down our throats”. The demand for solar generation within the state prompted solar companies to flood our farmland communities with proposals to use their easily accessible, open land, to quickly establish generating facilities with no regard for land use choice. Due to the temporary “slow down” within the industry in this state, I think that it is imperative that regulations and/or changes be made with this regard before any advancement in the acceleration of RPS generates another “demand rush”  I interviewed a resident who lives in a small South Jersey town. This is what they had to say:

There have been several proposals to farmers in my area (Buena Vista Township) to utilize their current farms as solar energy generating facilities.  A 51 acre farm directly across the street from my rural home is one, along with at least two other farms along the same street within our farming community. Because of my great concern of not only it being my new neighbor (50ft from my front yard), but also my concern of farmland being utilized for this purpose, I have been asking for help from anyone that will listen to try to put a stop to what I consider a misuse of agricultural lands.  I have written the Governor, PBU Pres. Lee Solomon, Sen. VanDrew, and the NJ Conservation Foundation.

This resident has tried to get an updated master plan four Beuna Vista but only up dates. The last full master plan received was dated in 1969. An effort is being made to strengthen the ordnance in Buena Vista. The current regulations on this topic can be found in the section title Sustainable Energy Accessory Use Systems. This was added in November of 2008 by Ordinance 14-2008. There is one section that is important.

The primary purpose of a wind or solar energy system will be to provide power for the principal use of the property whereon said system is to be located and shall not be for the generation of power for commercial purposes, although this provision shall not be interpreted to prohibit the sale of excess power generated from time to time from a wind or solar energy system designed to meet the energy needs of the principal use. For the purposes of this section, the sale of excess power shall be limited so that in no event an energy system is generating more energy for sale than what is otherwise necessary to power the principal use on the property.

It is noted that there is no ordenence that covers large scale solar nor wind systems in place. Other towns in New Jersey have them on the books. My contact states if a restrictive ordence is passed that the town will posslibly get sued. If the panel is build my contact fears that they will not be able to sell since the front window view will be a solar panels and the value will decline. I was taken to a similar solar facility located nearby in Vineland. The buffer was some small Christmas trees.

Movies and Such

A Scene from "Kairo"

Its been awhile since I wrote. This computer seemed to have died. The green on light was on but I had a blank screen. Well, I just let it run out of battery. When the battery had run out I then put the AC adapter in and WOW it booted right up. Cool! What was up with that?? Well, I quickly backed up my files. I only had to back up Jan and Feb photos. I had saved the rest. Ahh good to have the laptop back.

Blue Dolphin

Last night Pat and watched "Kairo" a Japanese thriller. It was real suspenseful and way out there. The plot is is follows:

The plot centers on ghosts invading the world of the living via the Internet. The film is a philosophical exploration into the alienation and loneliness of modern existence due to technology. Communication breakdown and isolation are the main themes of the film. The film features two parallel story lines.

This Says it All

Well, today I am going to walk Mike's dogs and floy with Pat. The last week was tiring. Tues night I checked out Dirty Franks and the Blue Dolphin. I have not been to the Blue Dolphin since 1981. I first went there to meet a friend who I got to know though the Fred Waring Choral Music Workshop in August of 1980. Anyway, the rest of the week I watched 2 French films. One was called "Lila Says"It was very sensual but it ends in the most messed up way. Pat and I both liked it alot.
The outlet to the fridge went out and well had to take everything out. Thank GOD I had not gone shopping yet and did not lose too much. 
Well, I am off to Sarasota Flordia this coming Weds. That will be a good trip for me. Time to get away from here and from myself. Get away from my bad habits which were once vices...

Freaknes Stakes

The Tooth

Indeed

The Weather was Frightful

Well, this past weekend was similar to last weekend with some good ole American drama. First off, Thursday AM, my crown popped out while eating Raisin Bran. I was gonna drive to Millville to get it fixed. When, I saw the traffic, I muttered "F-it all!! and just went home. A friend called me and the dental topic came up and she gave me a name of a dentist in downtown Philly. I called and he had an opening for the NEXT day (Friday) at NOON! He was decent but I would have to pay upfront and he wants to do a whole lot a stuff to my crappy teeth. I drove down to Vineland last night and stayed with friend. She thought she was attracted to a man but he was too soft. This man she met kept telling her about his former wife and about her controlling him doused THAT sexy feeling. It was very instructional for me. least  Think I need to return to being a blogging geek Shit this crap writes itself man.  Went  to Carolyne's Sunday. I relax before the gala!! ?I can't stand when folks try to make me feel guilty. I am not gonna respond. My Sister thought it was pretty bad too!!

Liz and Carl

Looking Good

Chillin Sunday

K's Wall

The following are the thoughts I shared with Pat via email. I thought if anyone would get it, it would be you. I am ok. Just going though that life change stuff. I am done visiting Carolyne after tomorrow for awhile. Visiting friends in Sarasota Fly from the 22 to the 26. That will be good I went to the Levoy Gala good friends in Millville. This will be good for me. I think I am one of the FEW men in the earth to meet a woman in a hotel room and NOT have sex... Got to monetize my freakishness:) Its a sad thing when it ends. I will carry that forever but it does not change my choice. Friends will be lost and so will intimacy for many days. Healing has to happen first. This my lesson over the past 4 months

Precursor to a Weekend

Driving towards Grey Ferry

Flight Simulator

Today was pretty good after a crown popped out while having some raisin bran this morning. I went to work as usual&; and then I was going to drive to Millville to my dentist down there by 5:40pm. Well, that plan went flat sine the traffic on Chestnut Street to enter the Expressway was HORRIBLE. I bailed out and called the dentist postpone the appointment. After that I got a call from Sue in West Philly. I have not spoken to her for a bit. She mentioned her dentist when

Dash with Check

At Home with Computer

I told her what I was up too. Well I called this dentist at  5:30 pm and got an appointment for 12 Noon Tomorrow! Now I don't have to wait till next Tuesday. I do have pay $150 up front since this dentist is not "in network" Will see how his Dr. Dubin is tomorrow before I depart to a new and exciting weekend starts 
Well, Tomorrow I go to my new dentist since my crown popped out eating cereal.
Tomorrow nite I meet a new Facebook friend for the 2nd time in Vineland. I am meeting at a hotel....Sounds cheezy. She is escaping to be away from everything and I will drop by before crashing in Millville for the night before the Levoy Gala Saturday night, crash over nite at Carl's and See Carolyne on Sunday.
At least that is the plan. Who knows what might happen.
Well, my script was changed from 75 to 100mg. The pill is bigger. I think this is ok. I do trust Dr. Cohen cause he really is smart in a very old fashioned and understated way Here is my place. Will have to jazz it up at some point. Right now got to go to bed. Its going to be a busy weekend

A Weekend of Heavy Lifting

Friday Jammin

Charging Plane Sat

I will say that this past weekend, starting with Thurs,   really will change things. I can not really say in words but in the deeds that were done and how tired I was all day today, Monday February 6th. Yesterday did end well and I am thankful for that!!    went to Millville to paint till 1 am. I put blue tape and spackled and then drove 1hr 10 min to work. Work was busy as crap and I then met a friend and went to IKEA. Next went to a jam session with Pat and new friends till 12:30 am... Just read the rest

Below is my weekend. What a trip. I will get off tomorrow...
I am ok but gonna be a tired 50 year man when this is all done.....

Coffie  Before Flying

Well, I got up early to drive 40 min to help Pat fly his RC airplane. Well an hour and one-half later, I get a call that Carolyne's dog Jesus was unable to walk and that she needed to get him to the vet by 2pm. Well, that ended the flying and I drove though the bogus expressway which had rush hour traffic on an early Sat afternoon.
I got to Millville at 135pm and got the dog to the vet. A script and blood test later, the dog had not heartworm or any other disease. It was $110 bucks that I barley had. Its gonna be lean till Friday for sure.
  I was REMINDED why I can't live with her..

Racin to get to the VET!

Made it to the VET!

Well, after that I got to the task at hand, painting the old bedroom for a renter. This was the real reason I came to Millville. Anyway while I was JUST finishing trimming the edges, she came in and was upset that I got the wrong color or Home Depot mixed it wrong. Called Home Depot and was telling them that I was going to return the unused portion. Well,   sanity returned to the Earth
The paint DID match the swatch. All a part of insanity Saturday.
 
  Painting with music and being left alone is very nice.
Well, I am back painting till 11 when I will crash at a friends house 3 blocks away.

Buena Vista

Watching the Giants WIN!

Sunday I finished painting then drove an hour and 46 min to my mothers in Horsham. 80.miles from Millville to Horsham. Just got here. Time to chill. It will be be good to end this weekend and chill out next week.Oh. I watched the Super Bowel in Horsham w my Mom, Spent the 2nd half in Media watching w/my brother David. It was an eventful weekend. I just now want to shower and sleep. I walked from Pats since he is flying tomorrow and I start a new week at the office.
I hope you well. I am just gonna get though this and that is damn good enough for me. The Giants won the Super Bowl cause NE dropped passes like the Eagles. My brother was pissed off. You know NY teams and their fans can be insufferable
ITs now Tuesday and this week has started well, some real changes coming about this Feb 2012. I will be going to the Levoy Saturday and having breakfast with a new friend who is very nice and interesting.

Mild Janurary 2012

A new friend

Bunny Slippers

Bartender on Phone

Last night Pat and I saw a movie at Mike's house, then we went to Dalhak for a nightcap. Met this cool fellow and talked about music, West Philly etc. IT was a nice little night. Pat has my car so he can go flying today. It looks like a nice day out for sure. I am planning a trip to Sarasota to visit my friends Ned and Linda. They just bought a house down there and they invited me. The trip will be the 22nd. Ahh I get to wear shorts in Feb. I just found all my pairs of shorts. Thank goodness.
What a mile winter this year. January gave us one small snow and many mild days. Next thing it will be March.

Motorcyle Show in NYC

NJ Turnpike

Pat on Ducati

Cool Bike

Saturday Pat Dave and I drove in the Snow in the AM to drive to Manhattan for the Progressive International Motorcycle Show. When we left at 8 am, the weather was pretty shitty to be frank but we got there and EVEN found a FREE parking space within a 15 min walk of the Jacob Javitts Convention Center. This place was big but very Soviet Union in its aesthetics. It was over 9 BUCKS in NJ Turnpike tolls and 12 BUCKS to use the Lincoln Tunnel. Man, that's why its just better to take the train or bus there. It would have been 60 BUCKS to park if we had used the parking garage. The show was 18 bucks to get in. It was not too bad and we stayed till 3PM.

On a Scooter