MOUNT VERNON — Preserve Knox County Ohio is a group of citizens “concerned by the encroachment of utility-scale solar development on agricultural land in Knox County.”
Members Ben Dean, Gary Koester, and Don Carr mentioned timing, location, flooding, and screening as concerns when they visited the Knox County commissioners on Tuesday.
“In many ways we are at a crossroads where we must decide what this community is going to be like for the next 40-plus years,” Dean said. “There are a lot of outside forces to which we must respond with careful planning and disciplined decision-making.”
Dean said the intent is not to convince the commissioners that utility-scale solar has no place in the county or that giving up agricultural land for solar development is always the wrong decision.
Instead, their concerns relate to the Frasier Solar project proposed by Texas-based Open Road Renewables.
“We believe that if our county really does want to pursue utility-scale solar development, we can achieve a better outcome for everyone by waiting for a more opportune time, identifying a better location, and selecting a different developer with which to partner,” Dean said.
Better time
Dean noted that the passage of Ohio Senate Bill 52 gave county commissioners greater authority in restricting utility-scale solar developments. While the Frasier Solar project is partially grandfathered in under the bill, future projects require the commissioners’ approval.
The Miller Township resident said the Regional Planning Commission is updating its comprehensive plan. The update provides a good opportunity to evaluate how utility-scale solar fits into the plan.
“This means we should be in a much better state down the road to evaluate the fit of any future utility-scale solar projects,” he said. “As it stands right now, it is not clear how such development will affect any other of our county’s long-range plans.
“Also, inasmuch as utility scale solar is still relatively new to Ohio and still rapidly changing as an industry, there are a lot of unknowns about its long-term performance and potential impact. Delaying the introduction of this even a few years will likely be to our benefit,” he added.
Dean referenced whether renewables can close the gap between decreased electricity generated by fossil fuels and increased demand.
“The leases for Frasier Solar are for 40 years, which is a very long-term commitment to make when there are so many unknowns, so much change happening, and so much to be gained by waiting for a better time,” he said.
Better location
Dean said the location of the solar project is in the path of, and possibly conflicts with, other possible developments south of Mount Vernon. With Intel and other large employers coming to New Albany, southern Knox County will become prime real estate for development opportunities.
“A significant solar facility could impede that development or significantly affect the quality since industrial development is well known to limit the other kinds of development an area can attract and sustain,” he said.
He added that solar near State Routes 13 and 661 could impact the rural appeal of Knox County.
Dean noted the proximity of the Knox County and Wynkoop airports. He cited studies that show the glint and glare from solar panels are potential concerns or at least annoyances for pilots.
He also said the group has significant concerns about Miller Township’s soil composition. Because it is rich in clay, it will retain water and contribute to flooding if Frasier Solar does not follow proper drainage and stormwater mitigation strategies.
Responding to Commissioner Bill Pursel’s question about whether Dean has identified a better location, Dean said he is not a soil expert or regional planner.
“I don’t have all of the information,” he said.
“I think what we are recommending is the county put together a plan to address this and other issues,” Mount Vernon resident Koester said, adding those other issues include residential developments underway and the loss of farmland. “There’s a lot of pressure coming to this county.”
Commissioner Teresa Bemiller said such a plan is in the works through a partnership with the Area Development Foundation.
“We know growth is going to come, and we want to keep our rural character,” she said.
“The other perspective is Mount Vernon is trying to grow and develop into a more viable community. … People might find it less appealing to live in the community with solar,” Koester said.
Better partnership
Dean said secrecy regarding contracts, a heavy-handed Good Neighbor Agreement, and a poor track record on previous projects make Open Road Renewables an undesirable partner. ORR is the parent company of Frasier Solar.
“Opposing the Frasier Solar project now can afford us the opportunity to say yes to a better project in the future if we so choose,” he told the commissioners. “One that affords us more local control, fits into our comprehensive plan, avoids conflict with residential development, and allows us to partner with a developer with a more proven track record of successfully partnering with local communities.”
On the subject of landowners’ rights, Dean said landowners’ opinions should be considered. However, he said several landowners leasing to Frasier Solar do not live in or around Miller Township, nor do they farm the land.
“It’s not always about a generational farm,” he said.
He also noted that a solar farm reduces the amount of land available for agriculture, thus reducing the land available to next-generation farmers.
Dean asked the commissioners to sign up as interveners with the Ohio Power Siting Board, thus staying informed. As interveners, they also can enter information into the record.
He also said they could write letters to the OPSB expressing opinions or concerns.
