Solar

Farm Science Review is just around the corner!

LONDON, Ohio – More than 50 companies will join the ranks as exhibitors for the 61st Farm Science Review Sept. 19-21 at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center. The new exhibitors represent various sectors in the agriculture industry including livestock handling, equipment advancements, agronomic technology, agricultural policy, and more.

Paulding County Extension Office has tickets for sale at a discounted price total of $10 per ticket. Tickets will be for sale until Monday, September 18 at noon. Continue reading Farm Science Review is just around the corner! →

Wind and Solar Farms in Farm Country: Addressing Land Use Conflicts Recording

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Please note the live session has ended but below is the recording

Topic:

The terms “solar farm” and “wind farm” could not more perfectly demonstrate the inevitable pairing of renewable energy and agriculture as uses of land. Although harvesting the sun and wind for distribution through the electric grid is far from a traditional agricultural practice, farmland is typically the anticipated location for utility-scale wind and solar facilities. Policies that encourage increased production of wind and solar energy, then, can be at odds with those that promote agricultural uses of land. Additionally, local opposition to utility-scale wind and solar development can be strong. The friction forces a policy decision on whether to prohibit or limit wind and solar development on farmland in the face of mandates and incentives for renewable energy. Continue reading Wind and Solar Farms in Farm Country: Addressing Land Use Conflicts Recording →

New Solar and Wind Laws went into effect on 10/11/2021

By Peggy Hall, OSU Extension Educational Lawyer

Monday marked the effective date for new laws in Ohio addressing utility-scale solar and wind facilities.  As a result of Senate Bill 52, the new laws expand local involvement in the siting and approval of these facilities, as follows:

  • County commissioners may designate “restricted areas” where such facilities may not locate.
  • County citizens may petition for a referendum to approve or reject restricted area designations.
  • Developers must hold a public meeting overviewing a proposed facility in the county where it would locate.
  • County commissioners may prohibit or limit a proposed wind or solar facility after learning of it at the public meeting.
  • County and township representatives must sit on the Ohio Power Siting Board committee that reviews facility applications.

The new laws also require wind and solar developers to submit decommissioning plans and performance bonds to address the removal of a facility at the end of its lifetime.

To help explain the laws, Eric Romich and I have developed the law bulletins and videos you see below.  We also have a podcast that Amanda Douridas and Elizabeth Hawkins recorded with us.  You’ll find all resources on the Farm Office website at go.osu.edu/energylaw.   Also on that page are the Farmland Owner’s Guide to Solar Leasing and our Solar Leasing Checklist.

 

Ohio SB52 that revises law governing wind farms and solar facilities in Ohio Webinar on September 28 at 10:00 AM

The OSU Extension Energy Outreach group would like to invite you to our monthly seminar:

Join the Sept. 28 program hosted by The Ohio State University Extension Energy Program on Ohio SB52 that revises law governing wind farms and solar facilities in Ohio. The program will start at 10:00 AM.

Link to register and join: https://osu.zoom.us/j/94645173927?pwd=ZnY3ZyttdDhZemsxeU52aHBtSUZYQT09

Meeting ID: 946 4517 3927

Password: 920502

By Phone: 1-312-626-6799,,94645173927#,0# 920502#

The presentation will be from Peggy Kirk Hall, Associate Professor, Agricultural & Resource Law Director, OSU Agricultural & Resource Law Program in the College of Food, Agricultural & Environmental Sciences Department of Extension.

SB52 Flyer 9-28-21.  Hope to see some new faces at our meeting!

For Questions contact: Dan Lima
Extension Educator, Agriculture, and Natural Resources
Ohio State University Extension Belmont County
101 North Market St., Suite A, St. Clairsville, OH 43950
(740) 695-1455 Office
belmont.osu.edu

2020 Leasing your Land for Shale and Solar Webinars

By:  Erika Lyon, Agriculture & Natural Resources Educator, Ohio State University Extension Jefferson & Harrison Counties and Dan Lima, Agriculture & Natural Resources Educator, Ohio State University Extension Belmont County

Across the state of Ohio, landowners are receiving offers to lease their property for the development of oil and natural gas wells, pipelines, or utility-scale solar projects. While the state is regionally divided between the two, with shale development primarily occurring on the eastern side of the state and solar development being concentrated in southwestern Ohio (with some exceptions), the questions about legal agreements, construction, and oversight of both are similar. Continue reading 2020 Leasing your Land for Shale and Solar Webinars →