Castlen lays out stance on data centers, industrial solar

HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) – Daviess County Judge Executive Charlie Castlen released a statement addressing two land-use issues facing the county: AI data center development and industrial solar expansion on local farmland. According to Castlen, he has a 'strict standard' for any future data center proposal and reaffirms his opposition to industrial solar development on Daviess County farmland, while raising new questions about his opponent's personal financial ties to an active solar lease. Castlen's opponent in this race is Rod Kuegel. Castlen reiterates he has already put a moratorium in place on new data center proposals in the county, giving citizens time to get the rules adjusted before any project moves forward. He says Daviess County welcomes, needs and wants companies to invest and grow here. He says most people use AI every day, whether they realize it or not, and it isn't going anywhere. He says it is against the law for anyone to outright ban a business from coming to Daviess County. On that note, he says he hears the concerns people have: electric rates, noise and water consumption. He believes the process should be brought before the public, not negotiated behind closed doors. According to his statement, Daviess County ranks 2nd in Kentucky in agricultural sales. He says he will not support paving over 'productive' farmland with industrial solar farms, and he's put setback protections in place. According to Castlen, Kuegel reportedly says he has 'no position' on industrial solar farms. Castlen notes Daviess County public records show the opponent personally holds an active solar lease on his own farm, which is a financial stake in the exact issue he allegedly claims to be neutral on. According to Castlen, 'It also raises a real question: why is a man with a personal financial interest in industrial solar farms personally bankrolling his own campaign, tens of thousands of dollars and counting, to win the one office in this county responsible for regulating industrial solar farm development? I don't think Daviess County farmers want to find out the answer the hard way.'