Sherwood solar project is denied by state siting board
The Crescent-News|Todd Helberg|January 19, 2023
A state board here has denied the proposed Cepheus solar project near Sherwood. The ruling was made Thursday afternoon by the Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) for a project planned by Lightsource bp in areas generally north and east of Sherwood. For more than a year the company was preparing for a project that would have included the installation of solar panels over approximately 350 acres.
A state board here has denied the proposed Cepheus solar project near Sherwood. The ruling was made Thursday afternoon by the Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) for a project planned by Lightsource bp in areas generally north and east of Sherwood. For more than a year the company was preparing for a project that would have included the installation of solar panels over approximately 350 acres.
COLUMBUS — A state board here has denied the proposed Cepheus solar project near Sherwood.
The ruling was made Thursday afternoon by the Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) for a project planned by Lightsource bp in areas generally north and east of Sherwood. For more than a year the company was preparing for a project that would have included the installation of solar panels over approximately 350 acres.
While some landowners supported the project agreed to lease land to Lightsource, others were opposed. An opposition group had posted a number of signs along roads leading into Sherwood expressing their position.
A release on the OPSB website noted opposition from Sherwood Village officials, Defiance County commissioners and Delaware Township …
... more [truncated due to possible copyright]COLUMBUS — A state board here has denied the proposed Cepheus solar project near Sherwood.
The ruling was made Thursday afternoon by the Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) for a project planned by Lightsource bp in areas generally north and east of Sherwood. For more than a year the company was preparing for a project that would have included the installation of solar panels over approximately 350 acres.
While some landowners supported the project agreed to lease land to Lightsource, others were opposed. An opposition group had posted a number of signs along roads leading into Sherwood expressing their position.
A release on the OPSB website noted opposition from Sherwood Village officials, Defiance County commissioners and Delaware Township trustees. It also stated that “the public comments filed in the case, which largely disfavor the project, reinforce the local government opposition.”
Lesley Hange, who lives near Sherwood, welcomed the siting board’s decision.
“It’s amazing what a small community of people can do when we come together for what is best for our community,” she stated. “I believe we are the first community without intervening parties or an attorney representing the opposition to defeat an industrial renewable project. So many people worked tirelessly to fight what we knew was not right. We owe it to our local governing authorities for supporting our efforts and standing by Sherwood. Thank you.”
Bp’s Josh Hicks, the company’s U.S. media relations manager, offered this statement about the decision:
“Bp remains committed to producing secure, affordable, lower-carbon energy to help reach net zero by 2050 or sooner. That’s why we’re in action to develop renewable energy projects throughout the U.S. Midwest.
“Our solar installations provide many community benefits, including a diversified source of income for farmers and new revenue for local governments,” he added. “We will continue working constructively with stakeholders and regulators to address their concerns and advance our projects.”
Project supporters noted the potential financial benefits from “payments in lieu of taxes” which would have been paid by Lightsource to various entities such as Central Local Schools. Renewable energy projects, such as several windfarms in Paulding County, often make these to local governments.