Fairfield County locals fight against 1,700-acre solar project
OHIO — Over the last three years, locals in Fairfield have found themselves embroiled in a heated debate over solar energy.
Carnation Solar is an almost 1,700-acre project proposing to construct a 142-megawatt solar-powered electric generation facility in Amanda Township, according to the Ohio Power Siting Board.
But driving through this township, Jerry Starner said this place means a lot to him and locals, and it’s all about a higher quality of life.
What You Need To Know
- One local says he fears the 1700-acre project that surrounds his home, will decrease property value and will destroy farming in the area
- The solar company suspended its hearing with PUCO to wait and see if an Ohio Supreme Court case will change things for them
- The Carnation company responds in a statement saying the project would benefit the community by bringing in extra tax revenue and more jobs during construction.
“We’ve been here 34 years,” Starner said. “I think you would have to agree it’s quiet and peaceful.”
He’s been living with his wife surrounded by nature.
Besides their children and grandchildren, who often visit them, they have animals that keep them company, such as dogs, cats, chickens, goats and Myriam the donkey.
Yet, Starner said all this peace and quiet is under threat because of the Carnation Solar project that’s planned all around his home.
“All the corn you see, really clear over to that farm, way over there even clear around the other side of our property that’s all leased to solar,” Starner said. “It’s going to ruin the value of our home right, and farmers there’s always issues because I figure they have to put in about 60,000 pilings for this project and there’s going to be 364,000 panels, inverters, gates, temporary roads they have to put, etc.”
In the meantime, the drive around his neighborhood meets the eye with one sign after another that says, ‘no industrial solar plants on farmland.’ Starner said they formed a group, of which he’s a board member, called Protect Amanda Township.
Two Fairfield County commissioners recently voted against Carnation Solar as well, while one commissioner abstained.
Jeffrey Fix was one commissioner who voted against the project.
“Primarily because I think that land could be better used for development and secondarily because I think it should have to go through a zoning process,” Fix said.
Fix said locals are more willing to work through a process of knowing more about the plan and how it’s being managed, especially if they have zoning they can rely on.
“Knowing that there’s, you know, financial benefits that they can gain from it,” Fix said.
But solar isn’t the only company looking to grab a piece from the pie, Fix said.
This is an area that’s growing because of Intel, 25 minutes to the north, and Anduril, 25 minutes away to the west.
“We’re also working with a couple of groups who are looking at potentially developing sites that would include the creation of natural gas fired electric facility that would generate enough power not only for their site but also to add back into the grid,” Fix said.
Carnation Solar responded with a statement saying they expect the project to benefit the community in several ways.
Some examples they gave were, generation of approximately $25.5 million in new tax revenue, creation of roughly 200 construction and service-related jobs over the course of construction, charitable giving and they estimate the project will generate millions of dollars in direct economic benefit.
“Carnation Solar has clearly demonstrated support from the community, as evidenced by the letters of support submitted via the permitting docket,” according to Carnation Solar’s statement. “We have heard from many community members that they want the project and the economic benefits that will result from it. We remain positive about the project and are extremely proud of the work our team has done throughout the state to support rural economic development.”
Initially, the company had planned for a hearing in September, but they’re now asking to suspend that.
Documents filed under the Ohio Public Utilities Commission show they’re waiting to see if the Kingwood Solar case in the Ohio Supreme Court would change things for them.
Starner said one thing is certain — that all this may be changing lives out there at Amanda Township forever.
This is why he said he and other locals will keep on fighting back.
“I never in my wildest dreams would believe there’s going to be an industrial solar facility surrounding the home. In fact, it changed my retirement plans, everything,” Starner said. “I hope they do deny the project, and we can all move on with our lives, frankly.”