'Disrupt our way of life': Concerned residents voice opposition to Enid-area solar farm

ENID, Okla. (KOKH) — On Tuesday evening, concerned Enid residents gathered to discuss a solar farm and energy storage facility slated to come to the area.

According to NextEra Energy Resources, the company behind the project, the Skeleton Creek Energy Center will encompass approximately 2,500 acres southeast of Enid.

Ahead of Tuesday's meeting, a FOX 25 crew visited the home of Suzanne Hunter near E. Fox Dr. and S. 42nd St. to hear from her and her neighbors.

In Hunter's view, "It's just going to disrupt the community. It's going to disrupt our way of life."

She has lived in the area for 44 years—and worries about the proposed facility's possible proximity to her backyard when she and others chose the area for its rural feel.

She's also concerned about what could happen to the environment—and warned that available water resources may be insufficient to respond to any battery fires.

"We are very concerned about a fire and who would fight it, and how they would fight it, and the destruction it could bring," she added.

Concerned resident Shirley West shared that her family's farm could be put at risk—and her brother out of a livelihood—should disaster strike the area.

According to West, "He depends on his wheat to live from year to year, and if it well, takes our bottom land, we're done."

City Commissioner Scott Orr faulted the city's management of the issue and called for greater transparency at Tuesday's meeting.

Enid City Manager Jerald Gilbert did not immediately respond to FOX 25's request for comment.

NextEra shared the following statement with FOX 25 in response to resident concerns:

At NextEra Energy Resources, the health and safety of our employees, our neighbors and the public are our top priority. At every phase of a battery energy storage system, from site selection through construction, operations and decommissioning, we strive to ensure that our projects fit the best interest of the community. Battery energy storage can provide valuable services to help balance and improve the efficient operations of the larger power grid.