Wombat Solar, a new solar development proposed in Crawford County, took a significant step backward on June 6 as Crawford County Commissioners voted to ban all solar development. This decision was made despite the wishes of other local policymakers and residents who would benefit from the project. Over a hundred members of the public were in attendance, and those speaking in favor of the project outnumbered those opposed by more than three to one. The project, projected to be 400 MW, promises substantial economic benefits to Crawford County, including millions in new tax revenue for schools and infrastructure and hundreds of good-paying union jobs. In issuing their decision, the commissioners gave no explanation.
“Wombat Solar represents a major commitment to Crawford County’s working families, and we are proud to partner with the other leading trade associations through a three-trade agreement to bring good-paying union jobs to this community,” said Brian McPeek, business manager of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 688. “Wombat Solar’s development will allow our workers to stay in their community and raise their families here instead of having to leave for opportunities elsewhere. It’s frustrating to see politicians trying to take this away from us.”
Wombat Solar has signed the Ohio Three Trades Solar Agreement, which unites the IBEW, the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) and the Laborers International Union of North America (LiUNA). This agreement sets industry standards for renewable energy projects, prioritizing safety, community benefits and fair wages for workers.
“We’re not giving up. This decision makes it harder for Wombat to succeed, but it doesn’t stop our support. We’ll keep fighting for this project and others like it, because they give our community a better chance at building long-term stability for our members and their families,” said Kip Siesel, business representative for IUOE Local 18. “Our message to local leaders is simple: make it easier, not harder, for working people to thrive.”
Opportunities from this development are already being demonstrated through preliminary development jobs and donations to area schools and programs. If completed, Wombat Solar would generate millions of dollars annually in tax revenue, easily becoming the largest taxpayer in the county.
“Wombat Solar gives us a chance to build the kind of future that lets our community stay strong and self-reliant. It means our members can earn a good living without leaving town. And it means our kids can look ahead and actually see a life for themselves right here,” said Jeff Sellers, business manager of LiUNA Local 1216. “That’s the kind of future we believe in, where we keep what we love about Crawford County and build it together.”
News item from Laborers’ International Union of North America Local 1216
Go put your solar panels on abandoned malls and their parking lots. Leave our Ohio soil and landscapes alone
The Crawford Co. Commissioners voted this way for several reasons 1) It is what the majority of residents want. In fact two years ago a referendum was on the ballot in Crawford County to prevent industrial wind farms and it was defeated by a margin of 3 to 1 (75% against them and 25% for them) and 2) because they have seen how the only solar project that was started before they voted and is located in the northern part of the area has destroyed the road infrastructure around it and does nothing but cause a mess in every local business before it was sold to Canada shortly after starting. The residents of the area are absolutely disgusted by the condition of their town and most of the farm land rented to them was done so by someone who lives on the opposite side of the county. The people of Crawford Co. believe that they live in a rural county and the majority of residents do not want to loose prime farm land that is needed for their economy to a project like this. I am sure that this union, that is based 30 miles away in Mansfield, Oh, could push their commissioners to build a solar farm in their county if they really want one. The second option is to stop destroying farm land to build these projects and start utilizing the many parking structures, and large billings (such as factories and shopping centers) to build these resources, something I’m sure they will not do because it will cost them a lot more than sticking a post in the ground. We as a country are already loosing farm land every year to housing projects and if we keep on this path we will loose a major part of our food source. I would recommend that Wombat regroup and go someplace else as it certainly sounds like Crawford County has spoken and they do not want you.
Crawford County is largely a farming community. We support our farmers. We have been brought up with respect for the land and the surrounding environment. They don’t make more farmland. And we want to preserve ours.
It’s not just 100 people that don’t want industrial development on our prime farmland. Wind development went to a vote 2 years ago and lost by a 2 to 1 margin. We want our farmland, our farmers, and our way of life to be respected. Not destroyed.
Its not a mystery. Our county commissioners voted as they did because it’s what their constituents want.
The commissioners voted the way they did because industrial scale renewable development was on the ballot two years ago and failed 3-1.
Ohio’s turn to the dark side started with HB6, the bill enabled by $65 million in bribes. That’s when the utilities, nuclear, and fossil industries first started working together to quash wind and solar. Unions were on the wrong side of HB6. They helped release the demon and now they are paying the consequences. The Ohio state government is openly hostile to renewables at all levels, and enables corrupt fossil any way it can.
Do any of the commissioners own electric co. stock?? Are thee, their spouse or family members getting kickbacks from electric cos? What contributions have electric companies, their executives or top shareholders made to their campaigns? Something smells fishy to me
Hi Kelsey, does anyone know why commisioners voted the way they did? Also, did they go beyond the agenda question by banning all solar vs. not approving Wombat’s project only? Thanks.
Generally speaking I find the major support and promotion of any project by multiple unions to be a red flag. What is in it for the union leaders? It must be something or they would not be pushing it. Beyond the union thing though, I have a similar sized solar farm near me in Tennessee and while I am glad to see solar developed in the area, I don’t see any major benefit for area workers, farmers or other businesses. The thing just sits there covering hundreds of acres of prime farm land and generating power for the utility provider in Tennessee, TVA, which then sells it to who ever is on their grid. I’d rather see this than a coal fired plant but it’s not changing peoples lives and creating thousands of jobs that are directly around it. The power it produces provides jobs indirectly but not limited to the local area.