In a significant development, the Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) staff has recommended the denial of the proposed Chestnut Solar Project in Marion County, based on a recently released report.

The recommendation in Marion County came amid widespread public opposition, with every public official in the county expressing their disapproval of the project.

The April 12 report, a "Staff Report of Investigation" issued by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, highlights the overwhelming sentiment against the Chestnut Solar Project among the public.

A majority of the comments submitted on the OPSB website regarding the project voiced concerns and objections.

“As of the date of filing this report, April 12, 2024, many comments have been received from elected officials and the general public expressing opposition to the project. These elected officials have included the Marion County Commissioners, which, while not controlling in this case, voted 2-0, with one member absent, to oppose the facility,” the report reads.

The Chestnut Solar Project has emerged as a focal point of contention in Marion County, drawing parallels to the divisive Frasier Solar Project in neighboring Knox County.

“Staff notes that the governmental agencies and representatives mentioned above are local officials responsible for representing and serving their respective communities,” the report reads. “These responsibilities include preserving the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens within their respective communities. The strong opposition documented to the project is especially noteworthy and compelling.”

The OPSB noted the “overwhelming documented public opposition” to the Marion County project.

“Staff believes that the public opposition will create negative impacts within the local community. Staff believes that any benefits to the local community are outweighed by the overwhelming documented public opposition and, therefore, the project would not serve the public interest, convenience, and necessity,” the OPSB report reads.

The rejection of the Chestnut Solar Project by OPSB staff underscores the growing resistance to industrial solar development in Ohio counties.

Last fall, public opposition to the Frasier Solar Project, spearheaded by Knox Smart Development and Preserve Knox County, propelled the issue to the forefront of local politics.

Of 22 Townships in Knox County 17 have passed resolutions requesting exclusion zones from industrial solar projects. Miller Township and the City of Mount Vernon have gone one step further by specifically opposing the Frasier Solar Project.

Following the revelation of the extent of industrial solar planned in Knox County, three-term County Commissioner Thom Collier, a former state legislator who was associated with the approval of industrial solar projects in Knox County, notably lost his primary election.   

Voters instead opted for a change, electing two anti-solar commissioners, Barry Lester and Drenda Keesee, which many have called a “referendum” on industrial solar.

Similar to Marion County, at the OPSB’s April 4 local hearing Knox County residents spoke mostly in opposition to the Frasier Solar Project.

Public sentiment against the large-scale solar project reflected concerns about environmental impact, land use implications and the preservation of rural landscapes.

However, due to overwhelming interest from 145 Knox County residents, many were unable to provide testimony, leading to two other local hearings being scheduled by the OPSB.

OPSB’s second hearing on the Frasier Solar Project is set to commence on May 23, 2024, at 5 p.m., with doors opening an hour prior at 4 p.m.

A third hearing is set for May 29, 2024, also at 5 p.m.

Both hearings will be held at the historic Knox Memorial Theater located at 112 E. High St. in Mount Vernon.

An adjudicatory hearing is scheduled for August 19, 2024, at 10 a.m. at the Offices of the Public Utilities Commission Hearing Room 11-A, 11th Floor located at 180 East Broad Street in Columbus.

Mount Vernon City Councilwoman Amber Keener expressed her disappointment at being unable to speak at the Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) meeting on April 4, addressing the divisive issue.

Keener emphasized the importance of community input, citing resolutions passed in opposition to the project and concerns about misinformation.

"There were a significant number of individuals from outside the county who wanted to weigh in on this particular issue,” she said. “And I think that that is honestly a great point to note, because the energy from this particular project will not be staying in Knox County anyway. So, sure, most likely will be thought up as green credits for, either Columbus or an industry coming in.”

Keener also raised questions about the project's long-term impact, including its disposal plans and the allocation of energy generated.

“It's motivating for me to recognize that if we want the next generation to stay here and make Mount Vernon their home, they have to have somewhere to live and we have to build it,” she said.

Keener was behind a Mount Vernon ordinance to formally oppose the project, 100 acres of which rests in Mount Vernon City limits.

In Mid-March Craig Adair, vice president of development for Open Road Renewables, apologized to City Council members for not having primed council members on the project, which has been years in the making.

“I apologize this is the first time we're meeting,” Adair told the council. “We’ve had several meetings with city staff over the last year and a half, going back to July of 2022.”