August 24, 2025

Ohio Power Siting Board’s decision in Eastern Cottontail 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Date: August 25, 2025 

Contact: Karlena Wallace, Communications Director 

Email: media@theoec.org 

Columbus, OH — On August 21, 2025, the Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) approved the 220-megawatt Eastern Cottontail Solar project, located in Walnut Township, Fairfield County. This decision represents a critical investment in Ohio’s energy future at a time when grid reliability and affordability are at the center of public concern. By adding 220 MW of clean, low-cost power to Ohio’s grid, Eastern Cottontail Solar will strengthen energy security, reduce costs for consumers, and help meet urgent demand. 

Decision Highlights: 

• OPSB staff recommended approval of the project, subject to 64 conditions designed to protect farmland, wildlife, and agricultural soils. 

• The facility will occupy roughly 898 acres within a 1,550-acre project area and plans to include agrivoltaic activity with sheep grazing between the rows. The project also commits to implement wildlife-permeable fencing, drainage system protections, and soil restoration at decommissioning.  

• Eastern Cottontail Solar will consist of large arrays of photovoltaic modules on tracking rack systems, along with associated infrastructure such as inverters, transformers, and a collection station. The project will generate enough electricity to power tens of thousands of Ohio homes, while reducing harmful air pollution and diversifying Ohio’s energy mix. 
   

• The Board definitively concluded that Eastern Cottontail Solar “will serve the interest of electric system economy and reliability and is consistent with regional plans for expansion of the electric power grid.” 

The following quote can be attributed, in whole or in part, to Karin Nordstrom, OEC Clean Energy Attorney: 

The OPSB’s approval of Eastern Cottontail is a critical step in the right direction towards solving the capacity market deficits crunching Ohioans’ electric bills .. Utility scale solar represents some of the best opportunities to get more electricity onto the grid as quickly as possible.  

Now more than ever, Ohioans need reliable utility service. Eastern Cottontail is another step forward in securing affordable, sustainable energy. 

The Board’s official decision regarding Eastern Cottontail is available on its website. 

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About the Ohio Environmental Council: 

The Ohio Environmental Council (OEC) is the state’s leading advocacy organization devoted to protecting the air, land, water, and democracy of all Ohioans. Through policy, legal, and communications expertise, OEC works alongside partners and communities across Ohio to advance environmental justice and safeguard Ohio’s environment for future generations. For more information, visit www.theOEC.org.