Commissioner Jeff Fix says county can't do much to stop a Walnut Township solar field

LANCASTER − Fairfield County commissioner Jeff Fix reiterated Tuesday the commissioners may not be able to stop some solar field development despite passing a resolution calling for solar field exclusionary zones in May.

That's because Eastern Cottontail may be allowed to build in Walnut Township because it started its project before October 2021. That's when Gov. Mike DeWine signed Ohio Senate Bill 52 into law which mandated the numerous steps a company must follow to build a solar field.

Solar field protesters have voiced opposition to solar fields at commission meetings for some time now.

"My approach to this all along is to try to find the place that is doing what's right for our citizens in the particular area," Fix said. "Combined with doing what's right for all 170,000 citizens that we represent, combined with staying away from spending money for court."

Fix said the county could face litigation and legal fees of tens or thousands of dollars in legal fees should it pass a resolution banning Eastern Cottontail from building solar fields here.

"So based on that, as one county commissioner, I don't think it makes sense because it's been acknowledged that anything we do won't have an impact on it," Fix said.

The Ohio Power Siting Board must first approve of any proposed solar field projects.

jbarron@gannett.com

740-681-4340

Twitter/X: @JeffDBarron

This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Commissioner Jeff Fix says county can't do much to stop a Walnut Township solar field