Ohio now has an opportunity to capture more than $18 billion of investment from utility scale solar developments. If realized, that would land Ohio as the state with the 3rd highest solar investment pipeline. Additionally, according to a recent survey, a clear majority of Ohio voters support solar development and welcome it in their community.
Therefore, it is no surprise that chambers of commerce, economic development professionals including the Ohio Chamber and Columbus Partnership, business and labor associations came out in force to oppose legislation that would limit or eliminate solar development in the state. Brian Dicken, Toledo Regional Chamber Vice President, Advocacy and Strategic Initiatives in an
editorial in the Toledo Blade, weighed in, "Passage of the proposal would send an unmistakable message that renewable energy jobs are not welcome in Ohio — driving them into the open arms of our neighboring states."
House Bill 118 and Senate Bill 52 would allow local township voters to cast a ballot on whether their township neighbors would be permitted to host utility solar or wind projects on their property. Further, the bills will abolish pro-business, free-market principles that have guided Ohio for many years by inserting burdensome layers of regulation on two forms of energy generation only and create uncertainty for future investment in this state.
Perhaps most concerning for any economic development or chamber professional is the dangerous precedent these bills present by laying the foundation for any new investment in a community being subject to a local vote. These bills would also establish a precedent for local votes for any kind of agricultural land usage such as large livestock operations, specific crops, or ag equipment.
Jed Metzger, President and CEO of the Lima/Allen County Chamber of Commerce, recently shared, “In our community, Birch Solar would provide a significant infusion to (our local economy) – contributing approximately $2.7 million in new annual revenue for schools as well as local and county governments, $4.6 million in annual operating expenses spent in the region, and 400 or more construction jobs with 80% local workers.”
<In Licking County, another proposed solar project is receiving similar support. The 500-acre proposed development would power Facebook, Amazon and Google data centers and provide a financial windfall for property tax recipients, especially Southwest Licking Schools.
Licking County Commissioner Tim Bubb stated, "There's no aspect of it that's a negative. Facebook, Amazon and Google all want to buy green energy from the grid. There's a desire for that energy."
Nate Strum, former executive director of GROW Licking County, agrees saying, "I think this is something that makes us more attractive to large-scale opportunities. We see renewables as a driver to power our future economic growth. The opportunities with this project are far beyond the initial investment in our county- our townships and schools will reap the benefits from the PILOT (Payment In Lieu of Taxes) revenues for years to come."
As exciting as these opportunities sound, House 118 and Senate Bill 52 would jeopardize these and many other projects from delivering such investment to Ohio communities.
