What we can do to stop this damaging project

Utility-scale solar like MN8's is currently only allowed on industrially zoned land in Hardy County. The Planning Commission is drafting regulations to also allow it in Agricultural Districts — and many parcels in the Old Fields project would still need to be rezoned from residential to agricultural for the project to move forward.

The Hardy County Comprehensive Plan adopted on December 18, 2025 lists agriculture and farmland protection as a top priority. The plan also states that the county should consider the costs as well as the benefits of large-scale energy projects, especially costs to the current assets and economic drivers in the county.

We are simply asking the County Commission and Planning Commission to stay the course with this priority and keep current agricultural zoning protections in place. We must protect farmland.

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Sign the Petition

Add your name and address. Signatures with Hardy County addresses are shared directly with the County and Planning Commission to show local opposition to converting productive farmland to industrial solar.

Sign the Petition →
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Hardy County Commission

The 3 elected commissioners will vote on the final solar ordinance. They are accountable to Hardy County voters — personal letters carry weight.

📞 Office: (304) 530-0284

Commissioner David "Jay" Fansler 📞 (304) 897-5154
✉️ dsfansler@hardynet.com
Commissioner David Workman 📞 (304) 851-0110
✉️ djworkman@hardycounty.com
Commissioner Steven Schetrom 📞 (540) 333-1784
✉️ Steven.schetrom@gmail.com
📄 View sample letter below
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Planning Commission

The Planning Commission is drafting the solar ordinance now. Their Solar Subcommittee is the group writing the actual language — the most direct point of influence.

📞 Office: (304) 530-0257

★ Solar Subcommittee
The group drafting the ordinance

These five members are shaping the conditions, definitions, and limits that will govern any utility-scale solar project in Hardy County.

  • Lee Lehman — President
  • Greg Greenwalt — Vice President
  • Tyler Bradfield
  • Doug Mongold
  • Jerry Yates
Full Planning Commission Roster
  • David "Jay" Fansler (County Rep)
  • Charlotte Bowman
  • Roger Saville
  • Russell Webster
  • Tim Wilkins
  • Robert Williams
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WV State Legislators

Ask one question: "Will you protect local control over land-use decisions?" State preemption (HB 2014) is the long-term threat — solar may be next.

House of Delegates — 86th District

Delegate Bryan Ward ✉️ bryan.ward@wvhouse.gov

State Senate — 14th District

Senator Randy E. Smith ✉️ randy.smith@wvsenate.gov
Senator Jay Taylor ✉️ jay.taylor@wvsenate.gov

Full contact info at wvlegislature.gov →

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Federal Officials

Federal officials respond to constituent concerns about energy projects and shape the broader policy environment. Your voice still counts at the federal level.

U.S. Senate — West Virginia

Senator Shelley Moore Capito capito.senate.gov →
Senator Jim Justice justice.senate.gov →

U.S. House — 2nd Congressional District

Congressman Riley Moore rileymoore.house.gov →
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Attend Public Meetings

Numbers matter. When 150+ residents showed up in November 2025, MN8 announced a "pivot." The solar ordinance process has four public comment periods ahead — every one is a chance to be heard.

1
Planning Commission approval

Public comment when the Solar Subcommittee's draft ordinance comes to the full Planning Commission for a vote.

2
County Commission approval

Public comment when the Planning Commission's recommendation reaches the elected County Commission.

3
MN8 zoning variance filing

Public comment if and when MN8 applies for a variance under the new ordinance.

4
PSC Solar Siting Certificate

Public comment when MN8 files with the WV Public Service Commission for its siting certificate.

Specific meeting dates are posted on the Hardy County website. Subscribe to our newsletter to be notified before each comment period opens.

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Join the Alliance

More than a newsletter signup. Volunteer, request a yard sign, share your story, or help with outreach. Bring your voice, talent, and energy.

Sign up: Join the Alliance form →

Email Us to Join →

Or email hardylandalliance@gmail.com to get involved.

📰

Write to the Moorefield Examiner

Letters to the editor reach a wide local audience and shape public opinion. Keep it under 350 words; include your name and town.

Submit to: TODO: editor email

Submission guidelines: TODO: link or summary

Sample Letter to County Officials

Dear Hardy County Commissioners, I am a resident of [YOUR TOWN] writing about MN8 Energy's proposed industrial solar project in Old Fields. I support renewable energy — but not on 2,415 acres of productive farmland in West Virginia's #1 agricultural county. Once that land use changes, it doesn't come back. The Hardy County Comprehensive Plan, adopted December 18, 2025, lists agriculture and farmland protection as a top priority. To stop this project, I am asking the Hardy County Commission and Planning Commission to keep current agricultural zoning protections in place. Thank you for your service. Sincerely, [YOUR NAME] [YOUR ADDRESS] [DATE]

🎯 Your Action Checklist

Sign the petition — Add your name to show community opposition
Send a letter — Personal letters have more impact than petitions alone
Attend the next public meeting — Numbers matter. When 150+ showed up, MN8 changed course
Talk to your neighbors — Many people don't know about this project yet
Display a yard sign — Visible community opposition sends a message
Write a letter to the Moorefield Examiner — Public opinion shapes outcomes
Subscribe to our newsletter — Stay informed about meetings and deadlines