OEC Applauds Decisions Permitting 400 MW of Solar Projects to Move Forward

Emily Bacha, Vice President of Public Affairs, April 16, 2020

Columbus, Ohio — Today, the Ohio Power Siting Board approved a transfer and granted a certificate in two solar siting cases, permitting 400 MW of clean, renewable energy to move forward in Ohio. The Hardin Solar projects, located in Hardin County, will total 320 MW, while the Nestlewood Solar project is an 80 MW solar project located in Brown and Clermont Counties.

The following statement can be attributed in full, or in part, to Miranda Leppla, VP of Energy Policy and Lead Energy Counsel for for the Ohio Environmental Council:

“The OEC is pleased to see these siting cases approved after being delayed this fall, so that renewable solar can move forward in Ohio. In a state that only has 264.5 MW of solar energy installed, adding another approved 400 MW will have a huge impact on our transition to a cleaner, healthier future.

“It is critical for the Ohio Power Siting Board to provide clear and appropriate guidelines on what is required before a certificate can be granted as well as what conditions will be included as part of a certificate for siting renewable projects in Ohio. We hope the upcoming Ohio Power Siting Board rulemaking will clarify this process. Renewable developers must be able to understand what is required when they begin to plan renewable projects in Ohio so that we can continue to move toward reducing our reliance on dirty fossil fuels as quickly as possible. Ohio cities and businesses are demanding it.”

For more information on Ohio’s solar energy please see this fact sheet from the Solar Energy Industries Association.