Tasks over 50 megawatts in manufacturing should first get hold of enter from the concerned municipalities. Some residents hope the large companies will keep away.
PORT CLINTON, Ohio – Ottawa County Commissioners handed a decision Tuesday that makes it more durable for brand spanking new, large-scale renewable power initiatives to return to the county.
“It is right down to the end line right here,” County Commissioner Mark Coppeler stated. “If anybody desires to go to locations the place they’re allowed, they must go earlier than the commissioners earlier than they’re allowed to go on.”
Ohio Senate Invoice 52, which supplies counties the ability to stop new initiatives of that sort, makes the decision attainable. Coppeler stated the decision won’t have an effect on residents in an enormous approach, as a result of they will nonetheless have photo voltaic and wind initiatives for their very own houses.
“Most individuals can nonetheless do no matter they wish to do,” Coppeler stated. “In the event that they wish to put in their very own wind generators, photo voltaic panels, and many others., I do not suppose it can have an effect on all the pieces.”
The vote was delayed for a number of months to permit for extra dialogue, however residents like activist Dennis Slotnick say there are nonetheless unanswered questions.
“Who has the suitable to the wind that blows on my farm?” Slotnick requested. “And the solar shining on my farm? Do I’ve a proper to the suitable useful resource? And that is not a query we have answered.”
Slotnick does not wish to see company management of inexperienced power however says banning massive initiatives might make it more durable for companies to manage that power.
“While you forestall the large ones, you additionally forestall the large companies that may take over wind and photo voltaic power, after which repair their costs and do all the pieces that the large companies do,” Slotnick stated.
The decision will likely be carried out instantly. Anybody with questions on particular person initiatives can contact their zoning officers.