Massive Ohio solar farm could see decision from state Supreme Court

LONDON, Ohio (WCMH) — Despite opposition from local leaders, one of the largest solar farms in the country is set to be built in central Ohio. But that decision could make its way to the Ohio Supreme Court.

The Ohio Power Siting Board voted Thursday to reaffirm the approval of an 800-megawatt solar-powered generating facility planned for Madison County by Savion, a subsidiary of Shell. In March, the project was approved in spite of public pressure to shoot down the proposal, but it had since been requested for a rehearing. That means a party affected by the project challenged it as unreasonable or unlawful, sending it back to the siting board to be reconsidered.

However, OPSB’s Matt Schilling said the board’s vote on the Oak Run Solar Project dismissed these appeals.

“In other words, the board upheld its March approval of the project,” Schilling said.

Challenging the decision were the Madison County Board of Commissioners and three townships’ boards of trustees. The rehearing was dismissed by a vote of seven to one, with that lone dissent from Madison County Commissioner Chris Wallace. When the Oak Run Solar Project was first approved in March, Wallace had strong words for the proposal, saying the county commissioners had received countless messages opposing the project.

“I just want to state clearly on the record, that if this board is to approve this project, they would be doing so in the face of strong local opposition,” Wallace said at the time. “I think, spitting in the face of Madison County voters.”

Now that the Oak Run Solar Project has survived the rehearing, Wallace said the only remaining course of action he’s considering is to take it to the Ohio Supreme Court.

“The decision by the Ohio Power Siting Board to deny our request for a rehearing is a clear disregard for the voices of Madison County residents and their elected representatives,” Wallace told NBC4. “This is not just a loss for our community; it’s a troubling precedent where the will of the people is overlooked in favor of corporate interests.”

The Oak Run Solar Project will utilize an “agrivoltaic” program. Schilling described this system as one that marries solar energy with agriculture. This type of project — which OPSB previously called “the nation’s largest” — allows for contracts with local farmers and businesses. The group expects this to create income and entrepreneurial opportunities in the Madison County area.

In March, the OPSB said it would implement this program by planting crops and grazing livestock in the rows between solar panels and along the perimeter of the project. As per its conditions, the Oak Run Solar Project must graze at least 1,000 sheep and 2,000 crop acres after its first year of operation, and at least 70% of the farmable project area must include agrivoltaics within eight years of operation.

Located on about 4,400 acres of land — owned in part by Microsoft founder Bill Gates — along State Route 29, the property goes through parts of Deercreek, Monroe and Somerford townships, all of which called for the rehearing. At the March vote, a Somerford official also spoke out against the solar development.

While Nick Walstra from the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio acknowledged the opposition in March, he said not everyone was against the project.

“What we have to take into consideration is the evidence that was presented,” Walstra said. “It wasn’t necessarily unanimous opposition, there were some local leaders who expressed some support.”

The project could bring an estimated $250 million in tax revenue to Madison County over its anticipated 35 years of operation, with millions expected to come to local schools and the county as a result. Hundreds of construction workers and dozens of long term jobs are also said to be coming to Madison County because of the project.

Oak Run will have an array of solar panels, which will be ground-mounted on a tracking rack system. It will also include a 300-megawatt battery storage facility, transmission lines, access roads, weather stations and other facilities.

Savion has previously said construction on the project could start in 2025.

Source: Aaron Burd from NBC4i

Telkes’ Take: The concerns of Madison County residents are certainly valid, and it's essential that their voices are heard in the decision-making process. However, the Oak Run Solar Project also presents a significant opportunity for the community, potentially bringing in $250 million in tax revenue, supporting local schools, and creating new jobs. With careful planning and ongoing dialogue, this project could be a model for how renewable energy and local interests can coexist and thrive.