KDC Solar of Bedminster stated "changing regulatory, tax and business environments" have caused them to rethink the project.
Residents opposed the massive project from the start. (File photo)BEDMINSTER -- A township company has suspended plans to build a solar power plant to serve the Sanofi-Aventis office complex in Bridgewater on Route 202-206.
KDC Solar of Bedminster, which first introduced the project in 2012, was seeking a use variance to proceed with the project at the historic 132-acre Kirby Farm.
KDC informed the township in a letter last week that it "intends to continue the ongoing process of considering its plans and alternatives in relation to the changing regulatory, tax and business environments, rather than devote further time and resources to the pending application."
Township Administrator Judith Sullivan said the township had no comment on the matter.
The project faced opposition from residents from the outset. They argued that the proposed location of the project would ruin the rural landscape, NJ Advance Media previously reported.
Residents also voiced concerns about noise and storm-water drainage and started their own Facebook page, Stop the Bedminster Solar Power Plant, where they stated they were pleased the project has been suspended but wants the township to officially terminate it.
Protesters prepare to battle solar plant
"We are not sure that the time for celebration is ripe," the group stated. "The 'suspension' letter from (KDC attorney) Gary Hall is written in such a legalized way that it is difficult to fully understand the ramifications."
Until the application has been terminated, "one should not feel too joyful, just yet," the group went on to state.
The Land Use Board is scheduled to discuss the project at a March 10 meeting at 7 p.m. at the municipal building.The proposal included the installation of seven inverters, each nearly eight feet high and 33,960 ground-mounted solar panels that would be built on large sections of the Kirby Farm at Country Club and Meadow roads.
KDC has stated if the electricity generated from the solar array came from a traditional source, such as a coal-fired power plant, it would have resulted in the equivalent emissions of 1,645 cars or 1,053 homes.
Dave Hutchinson may be reached at dhutchinson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DHutch_SL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.