RUSSELLS POINT, OH (WLIO) - Members of the Indian Lake community spoke out against possible solar farms in the county.
Dozens of residents took to the streets Thursday evening to protest Open Road Renewables' Granger Solar project. The company is proposing solar farms that could add up to as much as 5,000 acres, and construction could begin as early as 2026, according to their website. The solar panels would be installed on land leased from local property owners.
Protesters say they are against the project because it could leave farmland difficult to rehabilitate if the properties were returned to their original use, and they also worry the panels would be an eyesore to residents and tourists.
"It's, you know, a resort area, and a lot of people come here, whether it's hiking, biking, going out. I'm a wildlife photographer, I enjoy getting out and seeing the deer, the eagles, the hawks, the osprey. There's a lot of wildlife, a lot of nature that we get the benefit of enjoying, and this is going to change the characteristics of a lot of that," explained Bud Christman, the president of the Indian Lake Advocacy Group.
Christman adds that they are not opposed to all solar projects, but they do not think Logan County is an appropriate location for the farms. In response, Grange Solar sent Your Hometown Stations the following statement:
“Grange Solar is proud to be part of the Logan County community and to have celebrated the opening of our new office in Russells Point alongside members of the community. We welcome all residents to stop by and learn more about the project, which will generate significant revenue for schools and other critical local services in Logan County and produce much-needed, clean, Ohio-made power. We are seeing tremendous support as we continue our commitment to meet with, hear from, and engage the community," says Jason Smith of Grange Solar.
