The Birch Solar Farm Project would occupy over 1,000 acres in Allen and Auglaize County. The project is anticipated to deliver nearly 600,000-megawatt hours of renewable energy annually into the local AEP grid. The letter has been signed by Beth Seibert (Allen County Commissioner), Brian Winegardner (Allen County Commissioner), Cory Noonan (Allen County Commissioner, Rachel Gilroy (Allen County Auditor), Krista Bohn (Allen County Treasurer), and Brian Rhodes (Allen County Engineer.

The Allen Auglaize Citizens for Reasonable Energy (ACRE) group says the Lightsource BP's potential Birch Solar Farm project would bring a handful of benefits to both counties. The Birch Solar Farm Project would occupy 1,410 acres in Allen and Auglaize County. The project is anticipated to deliver nearly 600,000-megawatt hours of renewable energy annually into the local AEP grid. Opposition has been formed by a group called Against Birch Solar, citing that the proposed project would bring problems such as environmental, space, and noise.

It’s a collaborative effort to fully understand what is involved with the possible taxing options of Birch Solar by the Allen and Auglaize County Commissioners, the boards of Shawnee and Wapakoneta school districts, and the Apollo Career Center. If asked, these entities would have to decide on whether to accept a payment in lieu of taxes or a tax abatement and they want to make the best decision for all involved.

Representatives from the Against Birch Solar group came to the meeting in order to make sure their concerns are heard on the Birch Solar Farm project. Lightsource BP previously announced a $316 million solar farm project that would occupy approximately 2,600 acres of land in Shawnee Township and beyond. The farm will be named the Birch Solar Farm and is privately funded. The plan is to put the farm around South Kemp Road, south of Fort Amanda Road.