The Ohio Farm Bureau Federation (OFBF) filed a motion to intervene in the proceedings before the Ohio Power Siting Board concerning the Frasier Solar project.
The motion aims to grant OFBF full party status in the matter of Frasier Solar, LLC's application for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need.
Danville-native Dale Arnold, Director of Energy Development Ohio Farm Bureau Federation, said he has been involved with giving advice on the Frasier Solar Project and on solar developments in Knox County for some time.
“I had discussions with [Knox] County Commissioners on those particular issues over a year and a half ago and continued to talk with farmers, continue to work closely with the SWCD (Soil and Water Conservation District) there in Knox County, helping county farm bureau leaders, be involved in forums to ask questions and address those particular issues,” Arnold told Mount Vernon News.
He added that historically the OFBF has been engaged in maintaining property rights for farmers, including when it comes to signing leases for solar projects.
“Property rights for our members is absolutely, positively huge,” he said. “And if you take a look at our policy with regard to that, yes, we advocate basically that our members have the right to enter into effective leases and agreements to accommodate power generation on their property. Those particular projects have to be very open, very transparent provisions there with regard to soil and water conservation and protection.”
Arnold emphasized that the evaluation process, overseen by the Ohio Power Siting Board, is akin to a judicial proceeding.
”What people are finding out, too, when you talk about power siting here in the state of Ohio, it's actually an adjudicatory or a judicial process,” he said.
Drawing parallels between local court proceedings and the power siting evaluation, Arnold stressed the importance of considering the proceedings with the gravity of a legal case.
“The application itself is assigned a docket number, just like a regular court case,” he said. “Also two, it is considered evidence and as a matter of public record and open for examination.”
Furthermore, Arnold highlighted the role of local governments in representing the interests of their constituents in the evaluation process.
"Local governments have automatic ability to become a party of record in a proceeding to advocate for and represent the people that they represent of their constituent and interested parties, such as Farm Bureau,” he said.
Arnold also pointed out the importance of public involvement, stating that individuals and organizations, such as the Farm Bureau, have the ability to participate in the process.
"People are finding out that they have the ability to be involved in those particular processes,” he said.
Arnold acknowledged that while the Farm Bureau has members on both sides of the issue regarding the Frasier Solar project, their primary concern is ensuring the protection of soil and water resources, subsurface drainage, road use maintenance agreements and other impacts in the areas affected by the project.
"Our members with Farm Bureau policy have asked and charged us to do that on power siting cases for generation as well as transmission lines and pipelines,” he said.
Moreover, Arnold emphasized the importance of negotiating stipulated agreements for projects like Frasier Solar, outlining key provisions and requirements that companies must adhere to from inception to decommissioning.
Regardless of any other factor, Arnold said Knox County will have to get ready for some sort of alternate power source.
“Take a drive down Route 7 and the Ohio River Valley from Youngstown to Portsmouth. That fleet of coal fired generation facilities is gone,” he said.
“There were 18 of them at the beginning of this century. There are three left to be totally decommissioned and shut down by 2025, leaving one. What's replacing them? A much more diversified energy portfolio and smaller power generation facilities further out into the transmission and distribution circuit. What you learn working with one energy service provider, being solar in Knox County, is going to serve you extremely well when you see other types of power generation and transmission projects coming in within the next 10 years.”
The OFBF notes in its filing it is not taking a pro or anti-solar stance.
“OFBF does not intervene in this proceeding in support or opposition to the project at hand. Rather, OFBF’s concerns lie in ensuring that if a project of this nature goes forward, landowners and their land are protected and have appropriate recourse for needed repairs or remediation,” the motion to intervene reads.
The OFBF said that its participation will contribute to a fair and timely resolution of the issues at hand, without causing undue delay or prejudice to any existing party.
“OFBF maintains a non-profit organization representing agricultural interests at the state and local levels with member families in every county, including hundreds of families in Knox County,” the motion reads.
The Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) has scheduled a local public hearing at the Woodward Opera House on April 4 to gather sworn testimony on the Frasier Solar Project proposal.
