Join us to protect Rush Township’s high-quality farmland and environment, including prime soils and local ecosystems, from the harmful impacts of a proposed 7.3 MW solar farm. Contact officials and take action now.
We are dedicated to preserving Rush Township’s agricultural heritage and protecting our environment from the adverse impacts of solar farm development. The proposed 7.3 MW Solar Energy Farm, application ZHB 25-01, threatens our 128.95-acre property in the Agricultural zoning district, identified by the Web Soil Survey as prime agricultural soils essential for food production and supporting local ecosystems. This development, led by Solar Renewable Energy LLC and partners, risks environmental degradation, loss of biodiversity, and disruption of wildlife habitats. Join us to contact elected officials, stay informed, and fight for our community’s future at savelocalag.com.
Large-scale solar farms threaten Rush Township’s rural character, high-quality farmland, and environment, including prime soils and local ecosystems, with significant impacts on our community and agricultural heritage.
Converting fertile farmland, rated as prime by the Web Soil Survey, to a 7.3 MW solar array removes it from food production and disrupts environmental balance, threatening Rush Township’s farming economy and heritage.
Clearing high-quality land for solar panels destroys habitats, restricts wildlife movement (e.g., deer and bird populations), and damages biodiversity critical to our rural environment.
Solar arrays create visual pollution, with concerns about visibility from surrounding areas, lowering nearby property values and detracting from Rush Township’s scenic beauty.
Construction of solar farms brings heavy traffic, straining local roads and access for emergency vehicles, disrupting our quiet rural community.
The project could limit future sustainable developments, reducing economic opportunities for Rush Township residents and prioritizing corporate interests over local needs.
Reach out to these officials to voice your opposition to the 7.3 MW solar farm and protect Rush Township’s high-quality farmland and environment, including prime soils and ecosystems.
David Betts (Chairman)
Orville Shultz (Vice-Chairman)
Scott Beagle (Supervisor)
Samuel Schiccatano (Chairman)
Phone: (570) 988-4100
Joseph M. Klebon
Phone: (570) 988-4100
Meghan Beck
Phone: (570) 988-4100
Address: Northumberland County Administration Center, 399 Stadium Drive, Sunbury, PA 17801
Rep. Michael Stender (District 108)
Phone: (570) 286-5885
Toll-Free: (800) 924-9060
Email: Email Form
X: @RepStender
Address: 390 Washington Ave, Sunbury, PA 17801
Sen. Lynda Schlegel Culver (District 27)
Phone: (717) 787-7428
Email: Email Form
Address: Senate Box 203027, Harrisburg, PA 17120-3027
Bloomsburg Office: 603 W. Main St., Bloomsburg, PA 17815, Phone: (570) 784-3464
Mount Carmel Office: 10934 State Route 61, Mt. Carmel, PA 17851, Phone: (570) 339-5937 (Temporarily closed for renovations)
Shamokin Dam Office: 48 Orchard Drive, Suite 1, Shamokin Dam, PA 17876, Phone: (570) 743-1918
Luzerne County Office: (570) 387-4267
Sen. Dave McCormick
Phone: (202) 224-3121
Email: Contact Form
Address: 455 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510
Sen. John Fetterman
Phone: (202) 224-4254
Email: Contact Form
Address: 478 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510
Rep. Dan Meuser (PA-9)
Phone: (202) 225-6511
Email: Contact Form
X: @RepMeuser
Address: 416 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515
As of August 19, 2025, the USDA has discontinued funding for solar projects on productive farmland under the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), ending taxpayer handouts for such developments. This decision helps protect high-quality agricultural land like ours in Rush Township, rated as prime by the Web Soil Survey. Contact the USDA to ensure no funds are misused for the proposed 7.3 MW solar farm on this fertile land, and also raise this concern with Rep. Dan Meuser, Sen. John Fetterman, and Sen. Dave McCormick to amplify the effort.
Phone: (202) 720-3631
Email: Contact Form
Address: 1400 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20550
Phone: (717) 237-2299
Email: RD.PA@usda.gov
Address: 359 East Park Drive, Suite 4, Harrisburg, PA 17111
Examples for USDA and Federal Officials (Meuser, Fetterman, McCormick):
Phone Call: 'Hello, I’m calling to ensure no USDA REAP funds are used for the 7.3 MW solar farm on Rush Township’s prime farmland. Please confirm and enforce the cancellation policy. I also urge Rep. Meuser, Sen. Fetterman, and Sen. McCormick to support this effort to protect Rush Township's farmland and environment.'
Email: 'Subject: Request to Protect Rush Township Farmland\nDear [USDA Official/Meuser/Fetterman/McCormick], I urge you to ensure no REAP funds support the 7.3 MW solar farm on Rush Township's high-quality agricultural land and ecosystems in Rush Township. Please enforce the August 19, 2025, cancellation and audit any prior allocations. Thank you.'
Advocacy Tips: Write letters or emails supporting the REAP cancellation, urging enforcement to prevent funding for solar on farmland, and requesting audits of any prior approvals. Mention specific concerns about impacts on Rush Township’s prime agricultural land and ecosystems. Use the contact forms or phone lines to submit feedback.
On September 9, 2025, a Rush Township Supervisors' meeting saw unanimous opposition from all attending local residents and stakeholders against developing farmland for a 7.3 MW solar farm. Following the meeting, residents gathered to strategize and coordinate opposition efforts. Stay tuned for more details!
Join us for a critical Zoning Board Meeting on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at 6:00 PM. Location TBD—check back for updates as of September 11, 2025.
Contact officials and share savelocalag.com to stop the 7.3 MW solar farm and protect Rush Township’s high-quality farmland and environment.
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