New state report recommends denial for proposed Stark Solar farm near Alliance

Staff members from a state agency are recommending the Ohio Power Siting Board deny the application of Stark Solar for construction of a proposed 150-megawatt solar farm in Washington Township.

To get a certificate for construction, operation and maintenance of a major utility facility in Ohio, companies must meet eight criteria according to state law .

In its report of investigation, staff found that Stark Solar met seven of the criteria but did not adequately show that "the facility would serve the public interest, convenience, and necessity as required."

Staff of the Ohio Power Siting Board, who submitted the report, coordinated with other state agencies while conducting the investigation, including the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, the Ohio Department of Health, the Ohio Department of Agriculture and the Ohio Historic Preservation Office among others.

Stark Solar, a subsidiary of Samsung C&T Renewables , submitted its application to the Siting Board in February.

The proposed project to construct a 150-megawatt solar farm would span approximately 860 acres of southwest Washington Township, north of Route 153. Construction on the project would begin in 2026 to be operational in 2027.

Project manager Chris Simmons said the company is hopeful the project can still move forward.

"We are disappointed in the recommendation, but we are hopeful that the OPSB will recognize the significant and vital energy generation and economic benefits Stark Solar would bring to Stark County and the State of Ohio," he said. "If approved, it will produce much-needed electricity to help meet the growing demand for power in the county and across our state, create hundreds of jobs, and will generate tens of millions of dollars in stable, long-term tax revenue to fund local schools and services. We look forward to continuing to work with the OPSB and the Stark County community."

The report of investigation is a recommendation of Siting Board staff and not a final decision on the case.

A local public hearing to get public input on the case will be 5 p.m. Aug. 5 at Marlington High School, and an evidentiary hearing will commence 10 a.m. Sept. 17 at the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio offices in Columbus.

Stark Solar's project in Stark: Opposition led to recommendation

The report cites opposition from Stark County commissioners and Washington Township trustees and negative public comments submitted as reasons to deny the application.

"The determination of public interest, convenience, and necessity must be examined through a broad lens and in consideration of impacts, local and otherwise, from a proposed project," the report states. "Staff acknowledges the significance of the public input received to date, including the predominant opposition to the proposed project from commenters who reside closest to it and the local governmental bodies that are responsible for preserving the health, safety, and welfare within their respective communities."

The report says opposition from the public in this case has been "especially prominent."

The commissioners and Washington Township trustees both passed resolutions opposing the project, stating it does not serve the public interest.

"Staff believes that any benefits to the local community are outweighed by the overwhelming documented public opposition and, therefore, the project would not serve the public interest, convenience, and necessity," the report says.

The cases of two solar projects recently denied by the Siting Board for similar reasons to those cited in the staff report have been appealed to the Ohio Supreme Court. Developers in those cases have questioned whether public opposition alone is enough to deny project applications, according to reporting from the Energy News Network .

Laura Schmucker, a Washington Township resident that lives on a farm near the proposed project site and has helped organize opposition group Solar Free Stark , said the report is promising but considers the matter as an "uphill battle."

She said there is much more to come in the siting process and even if the Siting Board denies Stark Solar's application, there could could be appeals.

Schmucker said if the project is denied it would settle her concerns for the local environment.

"It's a very unique site for a solar facility, with a substantial amount of wetlands and streams," she said. "Not to say that renewable energy still isn't important for the area, but I think we've got a platform now that we can move forward and maybe find something that works a little better ... I think we can do that to try to make everybody happy."

Schmucker added that residents opposed to the project will continue to voice concerns at the local public hearing in August.

Siting Board could still grant certificate

The staff report is a recommendation to members of the Siting Board, so the certificate could still be granted to construct the solar project.

"Although not recommended, should the Board determine that a certificate should be granted, Staffhas proposed 60 conditions for the Board’s consideration in the certificate," the report says.

The conditions stipulate that throughout preconstruction, construction and operation of the solar facility, Stark Solar must continue documenting progress and any changes to the case record while following all state laws and regulations.

There are seven permanent members of the Siting Board, including Chair of Public Utilities Commission of Ohio Jenifer French and Ohio Department of Natural Resources Director Mary Mertz. In the Stark Solar Case, Stark County Commissioner Janet Creighton and Washington Township Fiscal Officer Jimmy Jones are ad hoc Siting Board members.

Reach Grace at 330-580-8364 or gspringer@gannett.com. Follow her on X @GraceSpringer16.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: New state report recommends denial for proposed Stark Solar farm near Alliance