GREENE COUNTY — Some property owners are fighting back against a massive industrial solar project plan expected in Greene County.
Those owners told News Center 7′s Gabrielle Enright that people need to understand how 2,000 acres of solar panels will impact the community, and they want people to be more involved in the overall decision process.
Signs have been posted along the roadways in parts of Greene County, but if the project they’re proposing happens, residents will see something a lot different in the rural area.
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Vesper Energy is working to create the Kingwood Solar Project which is up to 175 megaway solar energy project proposed south of Clifton Road and west of Ohio Route 72 in Cedarville, Miami and Xenia Townships.
Joe Krajicek, who is a lifelong farmer and agricultural advocate, said, “We’re comparing a 2000-acre facility to the size of John Bryan State Park and Glen Helen Nature Preserve together.”
Krajicek of Cedarville Township said he was approached by the company several years ago but turned down its offer to participate in the proposed solar project. He is now part of the group, Citizens for Greene Acres, which was formed by hundreds of people concerned about how thousands of acres of solar panels would impact their communities, landscape and lives.
“It will also affect all those who cherish coming to the area for years to escape the hustle and bustle of the inner city,” Krajicek said.
Documents from Vesper Energy state the Kingwood Solar Project would create jobs. But, Krajicek said it feels like its his job to bring awareness about the project to his community and encourage participation in the process now and in the future.
He said the leases that have been signed by at least 17 Greene County landowners are for decades.
“These panels are proposed to be here for 40 plus years before they could ever be decommissioned and moved to the next phase and continue on,” Krajicek said.
For comparison the solar project at the University of Dayton uses just over 4,000 solar panels. The proposed Kingwood Solar Project is about 200 times bigger.
This evening, March 30, the company, Vesper Energy, will be holding a public meeting. Vesper is the company behind the project.
The meeting will be virtual and not held in-person. It can be viewed here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_LR8_YuP3QNCGm3xVInakjg
STATEMENT FROM VESPER ENERGY:
“Kingwood Solar is a world class clean energy project. We are fortunate to be working with the incredible farmers who are proud to preserve part of their land in a solar farm. Kingwood Solar will create over 300 jobs and contribute $1.5 million annually to local schools and governments. This is $45 million throughout the life of the project. The solar farm is emissions free, low-laying, and is a great asset to Greene County. We look forward to continuing our conversation with the community on March 30th during our public meeting.”
Cox Media Group
