What’s up re: ‘solar farmers’; here’s the process for approval

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CLINTON COUNTY — You may have noticed solar panels cropping up in some of the rural parts of Ohio.

In an effort to keep you informed, the Clinton County Board of Commissioners is providing this news release.

According to a Dec. 28 article by Beth Burger and Mark Williams in the Columbus Dispatch — at https://bit.ly/3gKsSve — “Nearly two dozen solar farms are in some form of development across the state, according to the Ohio Power Siting Board, the state agency that approves construction of new sources of electricity.

“Add it all up, and it amounts to about 4,000 megawatts of power — the equivalent of two or three traditional power plants and about a seventh of Ohio’s current total electricity production. Right now, solar power contributes just about 0.5% of Ohio’s output.”

So what happens if your neighbor enters into an agreement with a solar company?

If a property owner reaches a lease agreement with a solar company for a facility capable of producing 50 megawatts or more of electricity, local government including county commissioners and township trustees have no jurisdiction to deny them access to build solar fields.

To the extent allowable under law, the Clinton County Board of Commissioners are committed to ensure that the county is made whole on the items and terms within their authority to do so, with the assistance of outside legal counsel.

There is a clearly defined process for approval of any solar energy project in Ohio, which includes a required public hearing that allows citizens to participate in the process by voicing their concerns and having their questions answered. You can find out more about citizen participation specific to Clinton County at this link: https://bit.ly/2PTjNVM .

This chart from the state shows the process to be followed.
https://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2021/05/web1_OPSB-PROCESS-FLOWCHART.jpgThis chart from the state shows the process to be followed. Submitted photo

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