Siting board sets hearing for solar project

COLUMBUS — Ohio Power Siting Board has scheduled a public hearing for 6 p.m. Jan. 26 regarding South Branch Solar LLC's proposal to construct an up to 205-megawatt solar‑powered electric generation facility in Washington Township in Hancock County north of Arcadia and southwest of Fostoria. The hearing is to take place at Findlay Elks Lodge No. 75, 900 W. Melrose Ave., Findlay. The release said the project would consist of solar panel arrays and associated facilities occupying about 1,000 acres, plus electrical collection lines, inverters, access roads, perimeter fencing, a substation and a generation interconnect line. According to an OPSB news release, the purpose of the hearing is to allow members of the public to provide sworn testimony regarding the proposed facility. Witnesses will register when they arrive at the hearing and will testify in the order in which they register. Testimony will be limited to 5 minutes per witness, and the hearing transcript will become part of the case record considered by the OPSB. If a witness wishes to supplement their testimony with an exhibit, a copy of the document should be provided to the administrative law judge during the hearing. Consistent with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and the May 17 Ohio Department of Health order, unless otherwise specified by the facility, individuals who are not fully vaccinated should plan to wear a face covering and socially distance. Additional information regarding the proposed solar facility is available on the OPSB website at www.OPSB.ohio.gov in case number 21-0669-EL-BGN.