Richardson Supports Constituents as OPSB Denies Richwood Solar Project

COLUMBUS – State Representative Tracy Richardson (R-Marysville) supports the dedication of northern Union County residents as the Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) recently denied the development of the Richwood Solar project, a 250-megawatt solar-powered electric generating facility in Leesburg, Claibourne and Taylor townships. 

“I attended several townhall meetings, where the message was clear from my northern Union County constituents, they don’t want this project,” said Richardson. “I am pleased to announce this decision of the board. The community joined together in opposition to this project, and I support the will of my constituents.”

The proposed project would have consisted of large arrays of solar panels and a 50-megawatt battery energy storage system occupying 1,217 acres within a 1,435-acre project area.

The OPSB denied the project, based on the consistent opposition from each of the local governments and their constituents who would have been impacted by the proposed project that would fail to serve the “public interest, convenience and necessity” as required under Ohio law.

The OPSB is a state agency responsible for ensuring the installation of major utility energy generation and transmission infrastructure facilities will serve the public interest of those impacted by the project.