Miller Twp. Trustees oppose Frasier Solar Project at hearing

MOUNT VERNON — Emotional testimony peppered Wednesday’s third and final Ohio Power Siting Board public hearing on the Frasier Solar project at the Memorial Theater.

Around 800 people attended the April 4 hearing, with 140 individuals signing up to testify. By 11:30 p.m., only 63 had done so, and Administrative Law Judge David Hicks halted the proceeding.

ALJ Matthew Sandor ruled on April 19 that individuals unable to testify at the April 4 hearing could testify at one of two additional meetings: May 23 or May 29.

Individuals were assigned which meeting they could testify.

Miller Township Trustees

Lynn Rowe walked to the microphone with a stack of papers in hand, and placed his written comments on the podium, reading a resolution opposing the Frasier Solar project. The measure was unanimously passed by Miller Township Trustees — Rowe being one of them.

Rowe said the trustees determined it wasn’t in the best interest of Miller Township citizens for the project to go through.

Township trustee Jason Row echoed Rowe’s comments, adding it’s been a “stressful time at the Miller Township trustee meetings” recently.

Row, among others who spoke against the project, cited topsoil loss, water runoff, property values decreasing and erosion.

Mount Vernon city councilmember Mike Miller spoke against the project too, citing the resolution council signed in March opposing it.

Interveners

Eleven interveners spent the second half of the meeting voicing their opposition to the Frasier Solar project.

Rhonda Noble, the treasurer and intervenor for the Preserve Knox County group opposing the Frasier Solar project, cited noise pollution, potential toxin release, and wildlife disruption as other reasons against the project.

Intervenier and member of Preserve Knox County Beth Bartley said she has a pacemaker and nobody with a 1,000% guarantee can tell her if the solar panels won’t affect her health.

Intervener and Clinton Township resident Rick McCament said he has a letter from the county commissioners saying they’re in support of the Frasier Solar project, yet he didn’t have the letter at the meeting when asked by Open Road Renewables’ attorney Michael Settineri.

Commissioners Thom Collier said they didn’t sign a letter in support of the Frasier Solar project.

After the meeting, McCament apologized and clarified his statements, saying he was referencing the August 2022 resolution, saying commissioners would look at solar projects on a case-by-case basis.

Intervener Emily Rowley gave an emotional testimony, saying there won’t be a place to stand on her property where her family won’t see solar.

One supporter

Non-intervener, member of Central Midwest Carpenters Antonio DiTommaso said projects like Frasier can give Knox County Career Center students opportunities, and the ability to earn a living wage.

He asked Frasier Solar to use local workers.

What’s next?

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio has rescheduled the adjudicatory hearing for Aug. 19 at 10 a.m. It will take place at their Columbus office at 180 E. Broad St.