Potential drainage problems concern Birch Solar opponents
By Mackenzi Klemann - mklemann@limanews.com
SHAWNEE TOWNSHIP Opponents of the Birch Solar project are concerned the proposed 300-megawatt solar farm could exacerbate drainage issues in an area surrounded by some 200 homes and properties, members of the Against Birch Solar group told the Allen County Board of Commissioners on Thursday.
The solar farm would be installed on 1,400 acres of farmland in Shawnee Township, pending the approval of the Ohio Power Siting Board.
But its proximity to hundreds of households has stirred opposition from many in a community worried about the project’s long-term impact on property values, drainage problems and the sustainability of Shawnee Township.
Anti-solar group sounds off
By Sam Shriver - sshriver@limanews.com
Jim Thompson, with Against Birch Solar, led a discussion about green energy, Saturday at Apollo Career Center. Seated were Ohio Senate President Matt Huffman and Ohio House Speaker, Bob Cupp.
Ohio Senate President Matt Huffman of Lima told those at Apollo Career Center Saturday that is “is my goal to make sure the (Birch Soldar) project doesn’t go forward”.
Ohio House Speaker Bob Cupp of Lima listened to concerns about the Birch Solar project at a meeting Saturday at Apollo Career Center.
Preble County Commissioner Rachael Vonderhaar discusses the problems they’ve had with green energy in that county, while Julie Johnson of Champaign County looks on. Vonderhaar said, “It is actually harder to build a house in Preble County than it apparently is a solar generating facility with OPSB (Ohio Power Siting Board), stepping on the plans we’ve written for our community,”
Proposed solar farm scales back footprint
By J Swygart - jswygart@limanews.com
A combined map shows acreage that was originally intended to be part of the Birch Solar project in pink, vs. the revised proposed acreage in orange. The solar field generating 300 megawatts and covering 1,410 acres is proposed for southern Allen County and northern Auglaize County.
Map courtesy of Lightsource bp
Video:
ONLY ON LIMAOHIO.COM
See past coverage about Birch Solar at LimaOhio.com/tag/birchsolar.
SHAWNEE TOWNSHIP Lightsource bp has made several revisions to its plan to build a 300-megawatt solar farm in parts of southern Allen and northern Auglaize counties, according to information released Friday by the company.
Anti-solar group discusses projects
By Sam Shriver - sshriver@limanews.com
Jim Thompson, with Against Birch Solar LLC, organized a meeting to discuss the group’s latest efforts to thwart a solar farm planned for the area.
Screengrab of meeting
SHAWNEE TOWNSHIP A large crowd packed Shawnee Alliance Church Tuesday night, Jan. 26, for updates on the latest efforts to fight Lightsource bp’s plans to build a 300-megawatt solar farm in parts of southern Allen and northern Auglaize counties.
The group, Against Birch Solar LLC, has been actively fighting the project.
Those against the project are concerned about the loss of property value, potential pollution if the glass solar panels leach lead and cadmium, and the overall loss of wildlife habitat.
New year brings new questions for new officials
By Josh Ellerbrock - jellerbrock@limanews.com
Ehora
Winegardner, right
LIMA The coronavirus pandemic forced everyone to adapt in 2020. But what will 2021 look like? And are local leaders prepared for the next round of challenges?
The Lima News reached out to the newest of the county’s elected officials to get their views on what next year will bring.
City of Lima
Two candidates for Lima City Council ended up replacing incumbents in 2020. After tight races in 2019, Peggy Ehora and Tony Wilkerson jumped into their new roles last January, and while their desks in city council chambers have been ready for them, they haven’t spent much time there. Instead, governing in 2020 has consisted primarily of online appearances.