The Carnation Application has been filed with the OPSB
We know you may not have the time to read through the detailed info provided elsewhere on this web site so here is a "condensed" version of the info to get you going. Many details are left out but can be found elsewhere on the website.
Here are a few highlights!
There are two utility scale solar projects is being planned for construction in Fairfield county. A third one called Ripley Solar has not filed with the OPSB but has had some activity on the PJM Service Queue in October 2024, but it is status is unclear.
One is called Carnation Solar
Located in Amanda Township
It is rated at 142 Megawatts and will cover approx. 1700 acres.
6 land owners have leased their farm land to the developer
The developer is National Grid Renewables
The vast majority of the community was unaware of the project which had been being planned for years before a few local residents became aware in late spring 2022
The other project is called Easter Cottontail
Located in Walnut Township
It is a 220 Megawatt facility and will cover approx.. 1550 acres.
The developer is EDF Renewables
The land leases can span 50 years or more (depending on renewals)
The leases are unilaterally in favor of the developer
Local zoning does not matter
There is a formal legal process to approve projects such as these in Ohio. The Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) is the agency tasked with approval or denial of such projects.
The OPSB is composed of the Chairperson of the PUCO, Director's of other Ohio agencies (EPA, Agriculture,...), an Engineer appointed by the Governor, and a member or their representative from the Township Trustees and County Commissioners where the project is located. So, there are 7 regular voting members and 2 possible Ad Hoc voting members for a case.
The developer files an application with the OPSB for review. When the developer begins the formal process with the OPSB a Case Number is assigned to the project. Make sure any correspondence/comments with the OPSB contains the case number (24-0881-EL-BGN for Carnation Solar, 24-0495-EL-BGN for Eastern Cottontail).
Staff of the OPSB review and investigate the application and render a recommendation to the OPSB for approval or denial of the project. This is just a recommendation to the OPSB, the board of the OPSB then makes the final decision. There is a formal process and timeline to all of this, including formal legal proceedings, public hearings, ability to become an "intervenor" (either in support or opposition to the project),...
There are 8 criteria an application must meet to be accepted/approved. The criteria where community opposition comes into play is "That the facility will serve the public interest, convenience, and necessity"
THE way we can show our opposition to a project is through written comments at the developer information meetings, comments submitted to the OPSB directly, and testimony at the OPSB public hearings. Be sure to become a member of Protect Amanda Township (PAT) and sign the PAT petition.
The developer is required to have 2 information meetings about a project before filing their formal application with the OPSB. At this point (Nov. 22 2024) the developers for both projects have held there 2 information meetings.
Provide a comment(s) to the OPSB directly via their Public Comment ability. These comments are separate from those provided at one of the information meetings. The links below will automatically fill in the proper case number for the project for you then you can add your comments, below are links for each project
Once the developer has filed their formal application the OPSB the basics of the process are as follows:
The OPSB will review the application for completeness
Once the application is deemed complete and the application fee is paid the OPSB staff will begin their investigation of the application
The OPSB staff investigation will result in in a staff report issued approximately 60 days later
During the various phases/proceedings for the project there are Administrative Law Judges (ALJ) assigned to the case. They are lawyers for the PUCO. They oversee the hearings, decide on motions, set the schedules and ultimately write the opinion used by the board for their voting.
The staff report will recommend either approval or denial of the application. Regardless of the recommendation the report typically has "stipulations" (i.e. conditions) recommended if the board were to approve the project.
A public hearing at a location near the project area is then held where anyone can provide testimony regarding the project. ANYONE CAN TESTIFY AT THIS HEARING!!! The Administrative Law Judges preside over the meeting. This a critical place to provide your voice of opposition.
An adjudicatory/evidentiary hearing is then held at the PUCO building in downtown Columbus. This is a very formal legal hearing, with pre-hearing testimony filed by intervenors from both sides that is then used during the hearing for cross-examination of the witnesses. The Administrative Law Judges preside over the hearing.
After the evidentiary hearing briefs and reply briefs are submitted.
An opinion (for approval or denial of the project) is then written by the ALJs for voting by the Ohio Power Siting Board at one of their monthly meetings
The OPSB then meets once per month to vote on the projects presented to them. They vote to approve or reject the project. There are seven regular voting members and two ad hoc voting members (the Ad Hoc members are from the project area)
The presence of the two Ad Hoc voting members just gives the illusion of having a meaningful voice by the local community. In reality the seven regular board members vote in unison and follow the opinion issued by the ALJs. The voting is a majority rule, so if the Ad Hoc members disagree with the opinion they are out voted by a vote of 7 to 2.
There is no opportunity for the Ad Hoc members to meet with the other board members prior to the meeting to vote on a project. And the meetings typically cover a number of projects and are very brief, just 10-15 minutes to vote on all projects for that meeting. So, no meaningful discussion at the meeting.
Since each project's docket is literally thousands of pages each you can see why the regular OPSB members simply go with the recommendation made to them. There is no way they can meaningfully review each project and also perform their duties for the various Ohio government departments they head.
Thus the Ad Hoc members have no sway in the outcome of a project.
Within 30 days of the OPSB issuing their decision a party to the case may request a rehearing of the case. The reasons requesting rehearing are reviewed and the board then decides to deny or permit a rehearing for the cause given.
After the the boards decision and conclusion of any rehearing a party to the case may appeal the case to the Ohio Supreme Court
Grass-roots community groups have been formed to oppose the projects:
"Protect Amanda Township" (PAT) was formed to oppose the Carnation Solar project
"Citizens for Fair Fields" was formed to oppose the Eastern Cottontail project
The PAT group has gotten the "word-out" through information meetings, flyers, yard-signs, canvasing,..
The PAT group has formed a corporation - Protect Amanda Township, Inc. This corporation has begun raising funds to support outreach and retained an experienced attorney for representation before the OPSB as an "intervenor".
The denial of other projects has been because of overwhelming opposition to a project, so we need everyone to voice their opposition - what can you do?
Become a member of Protect Amanda Township - click here to fill out a membership form
Complete the PAT contact form here. This will allows us to keep you up-to-date about the project, information sessions, etc.
Be sure to sign the petition opposing the project - this can be done by attending one of the PAT information sessions or contact PAT via email at protectamandatownship@gmail.com and we can arrange to get your signature.
Join the "Protect Amanda Township" group on Facebook
Submit a public comment to the Ohio Power Siting Board regarding your opposition to the project. This page will assist you in submitting a comment -- Submit Public Comment for Carnation Solar
Attend the upcoming OPSB public hearing (yet to be scheduled) - here you have 3 minutes to voice your objection to the project. Be to fill out the contact form and become a member of the Facebook group to be alerted of the hearing date (and other important items).
You can view the OPSB case by clicking here. Here you can view the application documentation (which includes figures of the project layout etc.), public comments submitted, and the various notices etc. regarding the project dates and other formal proceeding information.
Attend and/or write to the Faifield County Commissioners asking for their support in oppositon to the project.
The Overview/Background page provides more introductory material
The latest Carnation Solar News can be found by clicking here
See the FAQ page for additional info, a map of leased parcels, and the other pages under the menu area.
Thank You!