The Ohio Farm Bureau filed a motion last week with the Ohio Energy Deployment Board to intervene “as a full party of record” regarding a proposed solar farm in Marion County.
County commissioners have filed a lawsuit to request a chance to participate in the process to approve or reject the Chestnut Solar project, according to documents available online at the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio website.
Chestnut Solar filed a response Thursday to the parties that made the request, saying the company “neither objects to nor opposes participation in this proceeding.”
District residents are invited to a public hearing at the Tri-Rivers Career Center, 2222 Marion-Mount Gilead Road in Marion, on April 29 at 5 p.m.
More: Pleasant Township residents oppose proposed solar energy project
“We help members in every way in this matter”
In their motion to intervene, the farm bureau’s lawyers claim that the organization’s members “have a real and significant interest in this matter that is not represented by the existing parties.”
According to Leah Curtis, policy advisor for the Ohio Farm Bureau, the move doesn’t mean they’re giving up on the issue.
“We are helping members on all sides of this issue explain the process and how they can be involved regardless of their views,” Curtis said in a written response.
Land conservation, such as drainage repairs, restoration and noxious weed mitigation, are some of the organization’s biggest concerns, and they want to ensure they are both required and met by the energy management board if the project is approved.
Similarly, the commissioners noted in their proposal that “there is broad interest in the project to protect county roads, waterways and the environment so that no harm is done to the county.”
This map shows the area in Pleasant Township where the proposed Chestnut Solar LLC solar facility would be located if approved by the Ohio Energy Siting Council. The yellow line shows the outline of the property where the facility will be located. The blue and pink areas show where the solar panels will be located on the property.
The solar farm can produce 68 megawatts in 45 years
The project originated in 2016 when Charlotte, North Carolina-based National Renewable Energy Corporation began conceptual work for a proposed Chestnut Solar LLC solar farm in Marion County.
If completed, the solar facility would occupy 404 acres in east Pleasant Township and have the capacity to generate up to 68 megawatts of electricity.
According to the proposed site map, the facility would be bounded by Somerlot Hoffman Road to the north, Newmans Cardington Road to the south, Maple Grove Road to the west and US 23 to the east.
Plans call for the site to produce renewable energy for up to 45 years.
A public hearing is required on April 29 for the state to approve the Chestnut Solar project.
Residents who wish to speak about the issue must register after coming to court. Everyone who registers is given 5 minutes to speak.
The Board will also accept emails regarding this matter to [email protected] as long as the message includes the Chestnut Sun Box number, 22-0988-EL-BGN.
419-564-3508
This article originally appeared in the Marion Star: Commissioners, Farm Bureau want part of Marion OH solar farm decision