MARION COUNTY, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)—The “Concerned Citizens of Pleasant Township” are rallying against the proposed solar-powered electric generation facility in Pleasant Township. The group, led by spokesman Dan Wigton, is urging all citizens of Marion County to voice their opposition to the project.
Chestnut Solar’s proposal involves occupying approximately 404 acres within a 562-acre project area with a capacity of up to 68 megawatts. “We are very concerned about the proposed solar facility’s negative impact on our community,” said Wigton. “We believe the project will result in 30+ years of visual and environmental negative impacts including loss of property values, loss of wildlife & habitat, drinking water quality, noise from inverters, toxic runoff, community unrest, public safety, and many other long-lasting effects.”
Marion County government officials have also expressed opposition to the project. The Marion County Commissioners previously adopted a resolution expressing opposition to the proposed solar energy facility in Pleasant Township. The Marion County Regional Planning Commission has many concerns about the project and passed a resolution opposing it.
The Concerned Citizens of Pleasant Township group is asking all citizens of Marion County to attend a community forum meeting scheduled for Monday, April 29th at 5 pm at Tri-Rivers Career Center. The group states that this is the last chance for residents of Pleasant Township to speak directly to the decision-makers at the Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) about the future of the Township. Until the April 29th meeting, concerned citizens can join the group at their bi-weekly community forums on Tuesdays at 6 pm at the Pleasant Senior Center. In addition, a meeting is planned for Tuesday, April 23rd to prepare for all testimony to address the OPSB.
For more information about the proposed project and the group’s actions, visit the group’s Facebook page, Narenco, or the Ohio Power Siting Board.