'We're definitely concerned': Residents invited to speak at public hearing for solar power

Nissa Stump has been worried for the past four years that a commercial solar-powered electric generation facility might be built in Marion County.

"It's been a nightmare," she said.

Her goal is to get the long-term renewable energy project banned, and says her best chance will be 5 p.m. April 29 during a public hearing of the Ohio Power Siting Board at Tri-Rivers Career Center, 2222 Marion-Mount Gilead Road in Marion.

She hopes plenty of other county residents speak during the meeting.

"We need as many people there in opposition, or in support, of our fight as we can," Stump said. "That's really my focus, is making people aware of that public hearing."

Solar facility would take 404 acres in Pleasant Township

Stump became focused on the solar efforts in 2020 during the pandemic. She quickly helped form the Facebook group Concerned Citizens of Pleasant Township, which has grown to more than 500 members.

Stump learned 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 Pleasant Township.

The solar facility, if completed, would take up 404 acres in eastern Pleasant Township and have a capacity of producing 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. Route 23 to the east.

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

'We're definitely concerned about loss of property value'

Stump and the rest of her group feel the benefits of the solar project are outweighed by its negative impacts.

"We are concerned about the loss of fertile farmland, the loss of agricultural land," Stump said. "We're definitely concerned about loss of property values."

They believe the pylons built to support the solar arrays would impede the flow of rainwater.

"We already have flooding and drainage issues here," Stump said.

They believe that would reduce the quality of their drinking water, lead to toxic runoff and cause future health issues for neighbors.

Another issue they foresee is the humming sound the electricity would make as it's generated.

"A lot of organizations will say that solar is so clean and so quiet," Stump said. "Well, they have an inverter and they will be building a substation specifically for putting this electricity into the grid."

Other worries include heat the facility might put into the air, visual disruption of the landscape, and strain on emergency services should the solar panels catch fire.

'This is truly our last opportunity'

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

"At this hearing, hosted by the OPSB, members of the public provide sworn testimony that becomes part of the case record considered by the board," the website reads. "Written statements may also be submitted."

The board 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.

Each resident will be allotted 5 minutes to speak. The meeting will continue as long as more county residents step to the microphone.

So far, none of Marion County's residents have been very vocal in support of alternative projects, according to Dr. Mark Davis, one of the county's three commissioners.

"There's just been an absence of that conversation and that response from the public," Davis said. "The commissioners have kind of stood behind what the public and what the citizens want on this."

With more than 200 people living near the site of the proposed solar facility, Stump thinks the list of speakers could be lengthy.

"Witnesses will register when they arrive at the hearing, and they will testify in the order in which they register," Stump said. "This is truly our last opportunity as individuals in the community to have our voices heard."

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This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Solar power public hearing scheduled for April in Marion County OH