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Why 1000 Friends Fought Medford Solar Farm

freethesun
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An existing solar installation.

Placing a bunch of solar panels in a rural area is often referred to as a "solar farm."  But it's not like actual farming can go on around the solar arrays, and that's what troubles 1000 Friends of Oregon

The land-use group works to make sure property owners and planners comply with Oregon land-use law. 

And the group took exception to a solar farm approved for use on farmland near Medford, appealing the approval and getting it overturned.  1000 Friends attorney Meriel Darzen explains the issues. 
 

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Geoffrey Riley is a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism and has hosted the Jefferson Exchange on JPR since 2009. He's been a broadcaster in the Rogue Valley for more than 35 years, working in both television and radio.
April Ehrlich reports on lands and environmental policy for Oregon Public Broadcasting, a JPR news partner. Her reporting comes to JPR through the Northwest News Network, a collaboration between public media organizations in Oregon and Washington.