In Franklin County, Texas, residents are fighting Solar development after concerns were raised about storage batteries catching on fire. Some say the long-term impacts of solar panels on people and the environment have not been well studied. One solar project is being developed in the county, and community organizers are bracing for more. SB 624, which would require the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to review environmental impacts for wind and solar projects, require renewable power developers to hold public meetings and require facilities to be built at least 100 feet from property lines and 200 feet from homes, is being considered in the Legislature. In Hopkins County, Michael Pickens is part of an effort to incorporate the town of Dike so it can at least charge power line fees or road fees to the solar companies if it can't stop the projects from coming.

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