CLARK COUNTY — Residents in Clark County are rallying against a proposed 1600-acre solar farm project by Invenergy, fearing its impact on local land and community.
The solar-powered electric generation facility, known as the Sloopy Solar project, is set to have a maximum generating capacity of up to 180 megawatts. Local farmer Mark Hoffmaster, who has lived in the area for 20 years, learned about the project in March and quickly formed the Harmony Farmland Preservation Coalition to oppose it.
“We realized we were behind the 8 ball, we got to get going, we got to get organized,” said Mark Hoffmaster, a Clark County farmer and landowner adjacent to the proposed solar farm.
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The Harmony Farmland Preservation Coalition, consisting of about 12 local landowners, meets weekly and organizes monthly community meetings to discuss the solar project. A recent meeting drew approximately 70 attendees, highlighting growing concern among residents.
A significant upcoming event is scheduled for September 3rd at the Clark County Fairgrounds, where the Clark County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing. The hearing will address township requests to restrict large wind and solar farms in the area.
Hoffmaster emphasized the importance of community involvement, noting that the Ohio Power Siting Board considers public opinion when deciding on project approvals. “And I guess I would like that to be known that directly, they cannot affect the Sloopy Solar project; however, indirectly, they can affect it greatly,” Hoffmaster explained.
As the public hearing approaches, the coalition hopes to gather widespread community support to influence the decision-making process and protect local farmland from the impact of the Sloopy Solar project.
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