The Ohio Energy Siting Board (OPSB) voted unanimously to disclaim the development of a 94-MW agrivoltaic photo voltaic venture proposed for Morrow County, Ohio.
Sheep graze between photo voltaic module rows at a Silicon Ranch venture web site. Silicon Ranch
Open Street Renewables was growing the co-located Crossroads Photo voltaic Grazing Heart on 570 acres of land sited between Cardington, Lincoln and Westfield Townships. The photo voltaic venture would have been constructed on a number of totally different plots in Morrow County and hosted a sheep grazing operation. Open Street initially filed for venture allowing in February 2025, with a venture timeline to begin building in 2027 and begin operations in 2028.
Crossroads had reportedly progressed by the allowing course of towards doable approval, however was met with native opposition throughout public remark durations in the previous couple of months. A lot of the feedback submitted anonymously throughout this era opposed Crossroads’ building, and Canary Media reported that 34 different feedback in opposition have been submitted below false names.
“[The Ohio Environmental Council] intervened on this case to make sure that selections are primarily based on information, equity and the long-term pursuits of Ohioans. When goal evaluation is overridden, and the amount of public enter is prioritized over its substance, it weakens belief within the course of and makes it tougher to construct the power system Ohio wants,” mentioned Nolan Rutschilling, managing director of power coverage for the Ohio Environmental Council. “To place it plainly: Ohio wants extra clear power technology now to deal with hovering prices tied to information facilities and geopolitical pressures on power provide chains. Workers’s last-minute reversal on this determination creates an unsure regulatory atmosphere that can discourage power builders from future funding.”
Whereas the OPSB voted unanimously to oppose Crossroads’ continued improvement, non-voting member State Sen. Kent Smith mentioned he’s involved that the board would deny a photo voltaic venture throughout a time of rising power prices. In the course of the same session, OPSB voted to approve an prolonged three-year waiver with pure gasoline supplier Columbia Gasoline of Ohio, and amended certificates for proposed power storage and photo voltaic tasks. On Wednesday, the Public Utilities Fee of Ohio (PUCO) additionally permitted a charge enhance for utility clients with AEP Ohio.
“The aim of the PUCO and this group is to have each ample provide and reasonably priced energy provide, and if we’re going to disclaim photo voltaic the flexibility to compete in Ohio’s market, I believe that’s going to end in an artificially excessive value for Ohio shoppers … I’m involved that this venture was initially permitted and was finally denied. I believe it is a harmful factor for the state by way of each affordability and reliability,” Smith mentioned.
One other supply of photo voltaic opposition is occurring in state legislature. State Sens. George Lang (R-52) and Mark Romanchuk (R-22) have co-authored a bill that if handed would alter Ohio’s definition of a “clear power supply,” which doesn’t embody wind, power storage or solar energy. SB 294 would contemplate nuclear energy and pure gasoline as clear power sources. The invoice is presently below overview by a Senate committee.
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