Mount Vernon public hearing shows community divided over solar

MOUNT VERNON — A public hearing on Tuesday offered community members the chance to voice their thoughts on whether the county commissioners should allow wind and solar farms in Knox County.

For two hours, 41 people took advantage of the opportunity, presenting arguments for and against solar. The speakers, each limited to three minutes, included Knox and Licking County residents as well as solar company representatives.

Those who support solar cited landowners’ rights, sustainability for family farms, and increased revenue to the county, townships, and schools.

Those who oppose solar cited potential leaking of the panels, increased government control, declining property values, loss of farmland, and lack of sufficient sunlight. Other concerns included heat, noise, and stormwater runoff.

Keith Wilson, whose family has farmed for 150 years in Hartford Township, is part of the proposed Harvey Solar Farm in Licking County. A dairy farmer, he cut his herd down to 10 cows and raises corn, soybeans, and hay.

“The reality is that many small farms like ours are becoming swallowed up by larger farms,” he said. “Ohio is way behind other states when it comes to clean energy. … We owe our kids and future generations a clean environment to live in.”

He also cited the increased revenue for roads and schools and said the setbacks and tree landscaping counter the unappealing sight of solar panels. Wilson plans a 50-50 mix of traditional ag and solar and has talked with neighbors about grazing sheep between the solar panels.

Noel Alden, Danville attorney and dairy farmer, noted the economic possibilities of solar and the farmers’ right to use their land as they see fit. He also noted the need to be respectful of neighbors and urged the commissioners to be extra careful about misinformation being presented by outside groups.

Knox County resident Gary Koester, an industrial/commercial engineer with more than 40 years of experience, supports restricting wind and solar in the county. He said wind and solar is inefficient, destroys farmland, and requires thousands of acres of panels to generate only a little bit of power.

Linda Shaffer has about 90 acres in Hillier Township as well as 20 acres in the Harvey Solar Farm in Licking County. Family land in Madison County is part of the Madison Fields Solar project, a 180MW project near London.

“I feel you have to look at landowner rights and who is in the best position to determine the use of the land,” she said. “You don’t have to be worrying constantly; we still farm other ground, but this has opened up other opportunities.”

“You need 100 acres to generate 100 MW of electricity using natural gas. For the equivalent solar farm, you need 10,000 acres to generate the same amount of electricity,” said David Stuller of Mount Vernon.

Don C. Moore, Nixon Road, is concerned property values will decline and taxes will rise. Noting the money the federal government is pouring into renewable energy, he said, “We don’t want it. Put it in their backyard.”

Another resident said, “If it was so good, it would be private enterprise funding it, not the government.”

A Sharp Road resident pointed out that if the county commissioners restrict wind and solar within the unincorporated areas of the county, constituents have a chance to vote via referendum on their decision.

“Why not restrict it and let democracy play out, and we can let the community decide,” he said.

He also questioned how solar panels are considered agricultural rather than a public utility and how industrial production can occur on agricultural land without any changes to zoning or controls.

“I can’t put a coal mine on my property without controls, but we are proposing neighbors can put solar next to us without any input?” he asked.

While several other residents agreed with a referendum, one person cautioned that everyone in the county would vote on a referendum, not just rural property owners.

Morris township resident Chuck Rogers favors looking at projects on a case-by-case basis.

“A flat-out ban is not the right way to do it. Some places it is appropriate,” he said.

John Dilts signed an agreement to put 322 acres of land in Berlin, Pike, and Morris townships into solar. Noting that a landowner can take farmland out of production for a new home site, he said, “Yet you are going to tell me I can’t take my land out of production for solar?”

Janeen Baldridge, secretary for Save Hartford Township, a grassroots organization opposed to Harvey Solar in Licking County, said, “These projects destroy communities.”

“To have a solar developer sneak into the community … and have nondisclosure agreements; it was four years before we found out it was a thing.”

On the issue of land rights, Baldridge said, “My two-and-a-half acres is just as important as their 350 acres.”

Referencing studies in Europe that show solar panels leak, she urged the commissioners to “learn as much as you can.”

“My concern is we are taking agricultural acres and making them into industrial acres,” said a Miller Township farmer. “We’re losing too many acres. You talk about energy independence; I think you need to worry about food independence.”

Knox County resident Peter Miller said he is a proponent of landowner rights. “However, if it’s taxpayer funded, taxpayers have a say.”

Richard Gostell, Scott Road, said he would feel better about solar if there was consistency from the federal government. He recommended a longer-term approach.

“In three years, the rules and laws from the federal government could change,” he said. “We don’t have to make a decision today. Take a longer view and see whether those federal rules change in two, three, or four years.”

Residents also mentioned concerns relating to solar panels’ effect on wildlife, tree cutting, hunting, and outdoor enjoyment.

The commissioners answered questions relating to Senate Bill 52, the legislation that gives county commissioners authority to restrict wind and solar in unincorporated areas of the county. Under the bill, commissioners could also opt to approve projects on a case-by-case basis.

Commissioner Bill Pursel said there is no set timetable for the commissioners to make a decision. Commissioner Teresa Bemiller reiterated that no developer has applied to the commissioners for a solar project as yet.

Three solar developers are talking with Knox County landowners: Apex Energy, Frasier Solar/Open Road Renewables, and ibV Energy. Frasier Solar and ibV have signed agreements covering nearly 2,000 acres.

Over the next few weeks, Knox Pages will attempt to shed light on some of the questions raised at the public hearing. Topics will include how the electricity gets into the grid and where it goes, the PILOT program (payment in lieu of taxes) and how it relates to CAUV, and protections for decommissioning or a developer filing for bankruptcy.