solar
Ohio Supreme Court decision clears the path for Preble County solar farms
Two Preble County solar farms got the go ahead from Ohio’s Supreme Court last week, but the case may prove to be more consequential than the dispute it settled. Writing for the majority, Justice Pat DeWine staked out a position that seemingly asserts judicial authority over state agency decisions. It reiterates and extends a doctrine […]
Why is Ohio pushing away millions of dollars in solar energy development?
Solar energy developers want to spend millions of dollars investing in Ohio, but the state won’t let them. Now, some lawmakers are trying to challenge the anti-solar narrative. Ohio has become a hot spot for green energy developers, with nearly 10 solar applications pending. Although these companies want to invest multi-millions, they can be blocked […]
State government may soon kill a solar project in the governor’s backyard
Solar energy developers are facing peril after state officials recommended against granting them a permit to build a solar farm in Greene County capable of powering an estimated 34,000 homes per year. Opposition from local governments, primarily concerned about the rural aesthetics of the area, trump the Kingwood Solar’s signed leases with landowners, the payroll […]
Ten Ohio counties ban wind, solar projects under new state law
At least 10 Ohio counties have passed resolutions blocking the development of new utility scale wind and solar projects within all or part of their jurisdictions in the last year. The counties’ moves come after the October 2021 enactment of a state law giving the locals the veto power over renewable energy generation sites — […]
Union County weighs using solar restriction power given by new law
Two solar farms planned for Union County have gotten the go ahead from state officials, but now the county is considering whether to put a halt to further development. In a crowded special hearing Tuesday night, the Union County Commission heard a complicated message from residents. The commission is considering the idea in the first […]
House lawmakers pitch community solar measure
This summer, Ohio took a big step backward when it comes to renewable energy. Lawmakers approved Senate Bill 52 which grants county officials the opportunity to intercede in the development of solar or wind projects within their borders. Now a different measure working through the House could represent a small step forward. House Bill 450 […]
Delaware County Commission working on local solar, wind restrictions
This week the Delaware County Commission got the ball rolling on local provisions for regulating commercial solar and wind facilities. That authority stems from Senate Bill 52, which took effect Monday. The measure gives county commissions the opportunity to insert themselves in the state regulatory process by barring development of solar and wind projects on […]
DeWine signs bill giving commissioners ‘kill switch’ on wind, solar projects
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed legislation Monday giving county commissioners new powers to kill wind or solar projects early in their development. No such power exists for local officials for coal mines or oil and gas wells, which are regulated at the state level. If commissioners opt against scuttling a project entirely, Senate Bill 52 […]
Bill creating new hurdles for wind and solar heads to governor
State GOP lawmakers passed legislation around 1 a.m. Tuesday morning that bestows new powers unto county commissioners, allowing them kill wind and solar projects early in their development. The bill, which now goes to Gov. Mike DeWine for consideration, would also allow commissioners to block wind or solar development in all or part of an […]
Senate passes bill creating new hurdles for wind, solar development
The Ohio Senate passed legislation Wednesday granting new powers to county commissions to scuttle wind and solar development projects. Senate Bill 52 would require the green energy developers — before filing a separate application with the state Power Siting Board that currently exists in law — to hold a public hearing with advance notice to […]