Bill Would Give Voters a Voice on Wind Farms

COLUMBUS – Legislation to give local voters a say in the development of large-scale wind farms has been introduced in the Ohio House of Representatives, State Representative D.J. Swearingen announced today.

Swearingen, a co-sponsor of the bill, joined with several northern Ohio colleagues at a Statehouse press conference this morning to unveil the measure, House Bill 401.

“This bill isn’t anti-wind, it’s pro-local control,” said Swearingen (R-Huron). “Let’s give voters a chance to decide whether they want large wind farms developed in their community.”

The measure would allow a township referendum on most wind projects five megawatts or larger.

Under the bill, a state-approved operating certificate, or an amendment to an existing certificate, would only become effective after 90 days. During that time, local voters would have the option to gather signatures and file a petition to place the issue on the ballot in the township or townships where the wind farm would be located.

The number of valid signatures required for the issue to be placed before voters at the next primary or general election would be equal to at least 8 eight percent of those who voted in the last gubernatorial election in that township or townships.

Swearingen said the bill is permissive and is about giving voters the ability to decide whether large scale wind farms are developed in their own backyards.

“We want to give more local control to voters to decide whether or not a proposed project is a good fit for the community,” Swearingen said.