Ohio Farm Bureau, commissioners ask to be part of solar farm decision in Marion County

Zach Tuggle, Marion Star

The Ohio Farm Bureau filed a motion last week with the Ohio Power Siting Board to intervene "as a full party of record" regarding a proposed solar farm in Marion County.

County commissioners have since followed suit in requesting the chance to take part in the process to either approve or deny Chestnut Solar's project, according to documents available online through the Ohio Public Utilities Commission website.

Chestnut Solar filed a response Thursday stating the company "neither objects to nor opposes participation in this proceeding" by the requesting parties.

County residents are invited to a public hearing on the matter April 29 at 5 p.m. at Tri-Rivers Career Center, 2222 Marion-Mount Gilead Road, in Marion.

More: Pleasant Township residents voice opposition to proposed solar project

'We assist members on all sides of this issue'

In their motion to intervene, farm bureau attorneys claim the organization's members have "a real and substantial interest in this matter that is not represented by existing parties."

That motion doesn't mean they have taken a stance on the matter, according to Leah Curtis, policy counsel for the Ohio Farm Bureau.

"We assist members on all sides of this issue, including explaining the process and how they can be involved in that process, regardless of their viewpoint," Curtis said in a written response.

Land protections like drainage repair, remediation and noxious weed mitigation are some of the organization's biggest concerns, and they want to ensure those are both required and enforced by the power siting board, should the project be approved.

Similarly, the commissioners noted in their motion "an extensive interest in the project with regard to protecting the county roads, waterways and 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 energy facility would be located if it is approved by the Ohio Power Siting Board. The yellow line shows the outline of the property where the facility would be located. The blue and pink areas designate where solar panels will be located on the property.
This map shows the area in Pleasant Township where the proposed Chestnut Solar LLC solar energy facility would be located if it is approved by the Ohio Power Siting Board. The yellow line shows the outline of the property where the facility would be located. The blue and pink areas designate where solar panels will be located on the property.

Solar farm could produce 68 megawatts for 45 years

The project was born in 2016 when the National Renewable Energy Corp., which is based in Charlotte, North Carolina, began concept work for a proposed Chestnut Solar LLC solar farm in Marion County.

The solar facility, if completed, would take up 404 acres in eastern Pleasant Township and have the capacity to produce up to 68 megawatts of electricity.

According to a map of the proposed site, the facility's borders would be Somerlot Hoffman Road to the north, Newmans Cardington Road to the south, Maple Grove Road to the west and U.S. 23 to the east.

Plans call for the site to generate renewable energy for as many as 45 years.

The public hearing April 29 is required before the state can approve Chestnut Solar's project, according to the power siting board website.

Residents who want to speak about the issue will need to register once they arrive at the hearing. Everyone who signs up will be allotted 5 minutes to speak.

The board also will accept emails on the matter at contactOPSB@puco.ohio.gov, so long as the message includes the Chestnut Solar case number of 22-0988-EL-BGN.

ztuggle@gannett.com

419-564-3508

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Commissioners, Farm Bureau, want part of Marion OH solar farm decision

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