This group uses fossil fuels “It’s green energy. ”
In filings with the Richland County Board of Elections, the Richland Farmland Preservation Authority’s treasurer is identified as Dustin McIntyre, whose address is in a building in Belleville that houses several offices. However, VoterRecords.com does not mention Dustin McIntyre in Richland County, and Whitepages.com does not indicate that he lives in Richland County.
Federal Election Commission data lists Dustin McIntyre, who has an address in Virginia, as the financial director of several super PACs, including the Energy Affordable Fund. PAC. That group was founded by the Empowerment Alliance. 2021.
The partnership began as a project between Karen Buchwald-Wright, former Ariel chairman, and her husband Tom Rustin, who was also an executive at Ariel. Headquartered in Mount Vernon, Ohio, Ariel manufactures compressors for the oil and gas industry.
The Richland Agricultural Land Preservation Society’s website also features anti-renewable energy talking points supported by the Empowerment Alliance and other groups, including a variation on a graphic used by the Empowerment Alliance to imply that gas-fired power plants should be prioritized over solar power because of the smaller land area. (This diagram ignores the large tracts of land required for drilling and pipelines, as well as pollution.)
Neither McIntyre nor Richland Farmland Preservation responded to Canary Media’s emails or phone calls.
The Anti-Property Rights Campaign held a fundraiser in February, and its volunteers have been handing out lawn signs, door hangers and pamphlets. Volunteers with the nonprofit Ohio Citizen Action are also helping with efforts to raise awareness and encourage voting.
As for whether the Richland Farmland Conservancy is rallying in a similar way, Banks told Canary Media that he does not expect the group to hold a public fundraiser. Instead, he noted, they are planning to: “Call some people. ” he said, without saying who. “Some people are willing to spend money on this. ”
Farmland in the Butler area of Richland County on a cold winter day (Kathiann M. Kowalski/Canary Media)
Nevertheless, efforts to keep renewable energy bans in place exploit real fears about transferring land to non-agricultural uses.
“said John Jahornicki, who previously worked for natural gas and electric companies and is now a trustee for Mifflin Township, which opted for the ban.
In Yahornitsky’s opinion, solar power should be installed on top of buildings and parking lots. “In a sense, I think it is shortsighted to try to use up all this farmland to install solar panels. ”
Richland County Commissioner Cliff Mears noted that the city of Mansfield plans to add a solar power facility to the former landfill site. But he added: “We believe that all agricultural land should remain agricultural land. ”
Still, blocking renewable energy does not necessarily protect farmland. Indeed, urban and suburban development has been a major threat over the past few decades.
from 2002 through 2022Ohio State lost 930,000 Acres of farmland. Researchers at Ohio State University reported last year that most of that loss occurred around metropolitan areas, with urban and suburban sprawl extending into once rural areas. Meanwhile, the number of acres of utility-scale solar projects certified and planned is about one-tenth that amount.
Data centers are also a growing concern. 200 Already in the state and planning another 100 Or something.
For farmers, leasing land for renewable energy can supplement their income and actually keep the land in their families.
“The alternative is for (the landowner) to sell it for development or a data center or something,” said Annette McCormick, a county resident who opposes the ban.
Furthermore, renewable energy is not necessarily incompatible with farmland conservation.
Agrivoltaics uses the land under and around solar panels for grazing sheep and growing fodder and other crops. ““There are many opportunities for agriculture as we move toward clean energy,” McCormick said. “Perhaps you shouldn’t always think of corn and soybeans as your only farming options.
Permitting restrictions also generally require renewable energy companies to restore agricultural land when a project finishes using it.
Both Banks and Mears were criticized. SB 52This provision allows all voters in the county, not just voters in the relevant township, to sign a referendum petition and vote on the issue. “It has no connection to anyone in the city or village,” Mears said. “You need some skin in the game. ”
That deal was once on the table. previous version SB 52 It would have given each township the power to ban solar and wind power, leaving the referendum decision solely to that municipality’s voters. Ultimately, however, the law left the decision to enact a ban, and the right of voters to seek its repeal, to be decided at the county level.
““This is a countywide policy, so every voter in Richland County needs to have a say on this important issue,” said Jen Miller, executive director of the League of Women Voters of Ohio, who grew up in Richland County. “The role of county commissioners is to represent all voters and listen to all voters. ”
Advocates from the group Richland County Citizens for Property Rights and Job Development are campaigning outside the Richland County Board of Elections. (Tracy Sabetta)
Former Richland County Commissioner Gary Att agreed. “It’s a prefectural issue. Let the people decide. ”
Energy costs are also a big issue this year, not just in Richland County but across the state. In Ohio in particular, the proliferation of data centers and increased electrification are causing demand for electricity to skyrocket, raising utility bills for all customers. Solar power can be fed into the grid faster than other sources of power. Adding more power quickly could alleviate supply shortages, and clean energy could help protect residents from fluctuations in fossil fuel prices.
“It affects not only the entire county, but the entire state,” said Christina Omilian, a volunteer who worked on last year’s campaign to get the issue on the ballot.
because SB 52This hurdle only applies to solar and wind power. ““We’re picking winners and losers in what should be a free market,” said Fritz of the Ohio Conservative Energy Forum.
For Mr McPeek, the electricity union’s business director, blocking renewable energy also means fewer jobs for himself and others. IBEW Members from all over the prefecture.
““Historically, in communities that are kind of closed, investment and innovation often goes elsewhere,” he said.
Even if residents oppose the ban, no large-scale solar or wind projects will be built in Richland County.
“It just restores the right for the project to be considered,” McPeak said. “They have many hurdles to overcome. ”
Brian McPeak, a member of the “Vote No” coalition and a union electrician, speaks at a February 21 fundraiser at IBEW 688 headquarters in Mansfield, Ohio. (Joe Baldwin)
In unincorporated areas where there are no prohibitions, SB 52 County commissioners can still review nearly all new large-scale solar and wind farms. 5 MW That’s all in front Developers may also submit permit applications to the Ohio Power Siting Commission.
The law entitles the Commissioner to: 90 A day when you can ban a project, change its footprint, or do nothing. No action means the company can submit an application to the siting commission if the developer also complies with additional notice and public meeting requirements.
If a company is able to submit an application for a solar or wind farm to the siting committee; SB 52 Next, seek two temporary representatives for the county and township where the development will take place. Those individuals participate in the litigation as voting members. Any project must also meet a long list of other requirements before the siting committee gives approval to move forward.
Even for a project that otherwise meets all legal standards, the siting committee may simply ignore the local government’s objections and conclude that the project does not fall within the legal standards. ““Public Interest” – This position is currently under consideration by the Ohio Supreme Court.
may eventually need to be abolished SB 52 There are also several other legislative changes to put all types of energy generation on equal footing when it comes to siting and permitting.
But for now, supporters say “The vote against Richland County’s ballot question focuses on what it has the most immediate control over: defeating a ban that made solar and wind power unnecessary in the first place.
“I want my kids to be proud,” said Shelby resident Morgan Carroll, who urged people to vote no. “We want to say we’ve worked hard to help with their future energy costs and help with a clean energy future in the county. ”
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