Speakers at a Nov. 30 event hosted by Knox Smart Development at the Knox Memorial Theater characterized the Frasier Solar Project and other solar projects being undertaken in Knox County as part of a misguided environmentalism effort or, at worst, operations seeking to exploit billions in federal subsidies set aside for solar companies.
The contentious debate is continuing to unfold as Austin, Texas-based Open Road Renewables faces criticism for its plan to install up to 270,000 solar panels in the county.
The company proposed setting aside 1,533 acres of leased farmland for the Frasier Solar Project alone.
The forum aimed to share information and address questions openly, providing a platform for informed discussion.
Jared Yost, one of the founders of Knox Smart Development, underlined the importance of empowering citizens, local leaders and elected officials with facts to make informed decisions.
Yost, who grew up outside of Utica and now lives south of Mount Vernon, and other speakers presented facts and perspectives on the solar projects, hoping to engage the community in the ongoing debate over land use and the impact of solar development.
“I think there's a right way and there's a wrong way to develop solar,” Yost said in the presentation.
“I think we should be focusing on things such as rooftops covered parking lots, land that is unfarmable or vacant or unusable for any other reason. Taking farmland out of production is taking food off of our tables. And although it may not seem like it's a big deal that this is only a few acres here for this project, that's just the start. And there are multiple projects that are in the planning stages for Knox County.”
The debate in Knox County reflects broader discussions on the balance between renewable energy goals and concerns about the use of farmland, local environmental impact and tax base issues – among other concerns – for such projects.
Open Road Renewables representatives set up a table outside the event, distributing an attack piece against Knox Smart Development, calling it a "shadowy company.”
Yost expressed surprise at Open Road Renewables actions.
Despite being invited to the event, Open Road Renewables did not attend the discussion to address concerns directly.
“We believed (Open Road Renewables) would be attending the event and were dedicated to ensuring they were treated with respect and would not be called out by anyone in attendance. We wanted it to be a safe space for everyone,” Yost told Mount Vernon News.
Yost emphasized that Knox Smart Development aimed to provide complete information about the solar projects in Knox County, creating a safe space for dialogue.
“Multiples of us have said, all we're worried about is just passing out the facts,” Yost said.
“We reference publications, we reference other news articles. We reference people who have been through this before. We're not trying to make anything up. Open Road Renewable was invited. They requested a ticket to this event and we did accept that. So they were more than welcome to come in here to be part of this as well.”
Tom Whatman, a local farmer who emceed the event, highlighted the need for common sense in transitioning farmland to solar projects.
While stressing he is not anti-solar, Whatman expressed concerns about turning green fields into non-green structures.
“I am for common sense and it does not make sense to me to turn my hay fields or green soybean fields or green corn fields – in the name of green energy – into a bunch of black boxes that are not green fields,” he said.
During a question-and-answer session following the presentation, author and Heritage Foundation fellow Steve Goreham highlighted the substantial federal funding pouring into renewable energy projects, emphasizing the financial implications and battles between farmers and renewable energy infrastructure.
“The Inflation Reduction Act is going to send $40 to $50 billion a year to this nation for renewables,” he said.
Earlier in the event Goreham outlined the overly generous federal subsidies for “green energy” that companies such as New Roads rely on.
In a handout at the event, Knox Smart Development encouraged those in opposition to the Frasier Solar project to file a complaint with Ohio Power Siting Board by sending an email to contactOPSB@puco.ohio.gov and referencing “Case # 23-0796-EL-BGN, Frasier Solar.”
Knox Smart Development noted its intention to hold several such forums during the public comment period on the solar projects being considered which stretches into mid-2024.
Local farmer Tom Whatman. (Mount Vernon News / Kyle Barnett)
