Buckeye Reporter

The Shelby County Commissioners Court convened a public hearing on May 16 to deliberate on the adoption of Utility-Scale Wind/Solar Exclusion Zones. These proposed zones are sanctioned under a clause in Ohio Senate Bill 52, which permits counties to exclude large-scale solar projects.

Shelby County, an amalgamation of agricultural, industrial, and residential lands in west-central Ohio, is governed by its Commissioners. They "are the general administrative body of the County government and perform duties which are specifically authorized by the state legislature." Their responsibilities encompass establishing regulations on certain land uses within the county, including wind and solar generation.

A map devised by the County Commissioners reveals that all non-municipal land in the county would be exempt from use for electricity generation from large-scale solar and wind farms. The municipal lands span nine townships, including Sidney - the county seat. These lands are primarily residential and unsuitable for renewable development.

Local resident Jim Thompson expressed his views on Facebook regarding the proposed zones. He noted that these zones would not result in "a total prohibition on wind/solar projects, just those for which the State of Ohio identifies as Large Scale development (greater than 50MW). This would not exclude renewable facilities less than 50MW." Thompson further elaborated that "a single 50MW solar facility could generate enough energy to power the Village of Botkins, Anna, Jackson Center, Russia, Fort Loramie, Port Jefferson, Kettlerville, and Lockington… COLLECTIVELY (Or about 10,000 homes and would engulf approximately 350 acres of farmland). So while these facilities are not small, nonetheless they are not on the scale of most solar facilities being proposed and built in Ohio at this time."

According to a report by Sidney Daily News, "The development of such large-scale farms has numerous effects on users and nearby property owners. Because of this, the county commissioners decided to adopt a resolution designating all unincorporated areas of the county as restricted areas to such projects under Ohio Code Section 303.58" that was adopted under Senate Bill 52.

The hearing saw a significant turnout. "Residents from all over Shelby County, including Franklin and Perry townships, were present, in addition to some residents from Allen County. Many spoke and expressed their support and gratitude to the commissioners for protecting and preserving farmlands for generations to come," reported the Sidney Daily News.