Several Protest and Support Grange Solar Project – Peak of Ohio - peakofohio.com
Several Protest and Support Grange Solar Project - Peak of Ohio
Thursday, Open Road Renewables celebrated the reopening of its new Indian Lake office after the tragic tornado that struck the community in March.
This event marks a significant milestone for the Grange Solar project, which promises up to $4.5 million in annual investment in local schools, emergency services, and other county priorities and community projects.
Grange Solar is set to employ a local workforce, creating possibly hundreds of construction jobs.
Richard Kinney, a Grange Solar Landowner, and local resident, expressed his support, saying, “I’m glad to be involved with a company that cares so much about our local community. Having them set up downtown will help our community understand the massive value this project represents for our community and why local farmers have decided to participate. It’s a great project and Open Road is a great partner.”
Similarly, John Lenhart, another Grange Solar Landowner, and local resident, shared his excitement: “It’s great to see the company re-established with an office that people can visit. I hope people will stop by and get to know the company and see for themselves how dedicated they are to this community and what this project could mean for Indian Lake’s future. I’m excited about this project and glad to be able to help my community by participating in Grange Solar.”
Lenhart talks about why he supports solar:
On the flip side of the story, dozens of members of the Indian Lake Against Industrial Solar group showed up to protest the project.
Here are words from several residents against the proposed solar project:
Jason Smith, Open Road Renewables Community Relations Manager, talks about the project and his frustration with those who were opposing the project:
Learn more about the Grange Solar Project HERE.
Learn more about the group that stands against the project HERE.
Related Knowledge Center: ENERGY BASICS: renewables
Renewable energy sources — once the fuel of the future, then practical in specific, narrow applications — are increasingly economic mainstream sources of power generation. Hydropower was long the mainstay of U.S. renewable electricity generation, although wind power surpassed hydro for the first time in 2019, and solar continues its rapid growth. The continued growth of wind and solar, with their fluctuations, is tied in part to improvements in storage technology: batteries.