Ohio Townships Push Back on Wind Farm, Putting Local Control First
A proposed $800 million wind energy project in Ashtabula County, Ohio, is drawing scrutiny from local residents and officials alike, raising questions about property rights, energy costs, and community impact that resonate far beyond the Midwest. For Iowa residents living in the nation's top wind energy state, the debate offers a familiar look at the tradeoffs that come with large-scale renewable development.
Company Seeks Leases for 300 Megawatt Project
Apex Clean Energy hosted the first of several public meetings Tuesday evening at the Morgan Hose Fire Department, pitching a planned 300 megawatt wind farm to roughly 40 attendees. The project, which would span 15 townships and skirt the city line in Conneaut, is still in its early stages.
Senior Development Manager Robert Gee and Project Developer Liam Keough told the crowd the company has secured roughly 12,000 acres in leases from about 40 property owners so far. However, the company ultimately needs between 30,000 and 35,000 acres of leased land to make the project viable.
Gee said the project was formalized about a year and a half ago. The earliest completion date would be 2031, with construction unlikely to start before 2029. By the end of this year, the company must demonstrate it has enough leased land to move forward.
Landowners Keep Payments Regardless of Project Outcome
One key detail emerged for property owners considering leases: signed lease holders keep their money even if the project never gets built.
Gee said a landowner would receive $7,500 per megawatt of power generated, with some leases ranging between $35,000 and $40,000 per year. If a township decides to regulate wind power in a place where a lease exists, the landowner keeps the original payment, but the contract would likely be nullified for any future payments.
Keough noted that leases stay with the property when it is sold, a point that drew attention from residents concerned about long-term property value implications.
Commissioners Give Townships a Voice
The Ashtabula County Board of Commissioners established a process allowing all 27 townships to decide if, and where, potential wind turbines can be constructed. All three commissioners, Kathryn Whittington, Casey Kozlowski and J.P. Ducro, attended Tuesday's meeting to explain their reasoning for putting land use decisions in local hands.
The move reflects a broader push for local control over energy development, a principle that has gained traction in rural communities across the country, including Iowa, where county supervisors have clashed over wind and solar project siting.
After securing more leases, Apex would need to present a proposal to the Ohio Power Sitinging Board, which regulates such projects.
Residents Raise Tough Questions About Costs and Impact
Attendees pressed company officials on whether the project would reduce area electric bills. Gee acknowledged that Apex has nothing to do with setting electricity prices. The company would generate power for utilities to purchase for the grid.
Company materials highlighted that electricity demand in the United States is forecast to grow by 25 percent between 2023 and 2030. The handouts also noted that in Iowa, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and South Dakota, wind is the largest source of energy generation.
While the company pointed to benefits from its Blue Creek Wind Farm in Van Wert and Paulding counties, residents asked about potential property damage, road deterioration during construction, and turbine vulnerability to severe weather.
Gee said turbines can be damaged by tornadoes and lightning strikes but are inspected regularly. He also addressed road concerns directly.