OPSB approves accelerated review of natural gas power plant
COLUMBUS, OHIO (April 17, 2025) – The Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) today authorized PowerConneX, Inc. to seek an accelerated review of its plans for a natural gas-fired power plant in Licking County. The OPSB also denied the application of Stark Solar, LLC to construct a 150 megawatt (MW) solar-powered electric generating facility in Washington Township, Stark County, and authorized additional vegetation management plans for the previously approved Big Plain Solar project in Madison County.
The OPSB approved PowerConneX, Inc.’s request to file an accelerated application for its proposed 120 MW natural gas-fired power generation facility in the city of New Albany, Licking County. The proposed project would be located within the current boundary of an industrial facility and would generate more than 50 MW of electricity using natural gas, meeting the capacity and locational requirements to qualify for a 90-day OPSB review. PowerConneX held public informational meetings for the project on February 19 and March 26, 2025.
In separate business, the OPSB denied the application of Stark Solar. Based on the consistent opposition to the project from each of the local government entities and their impacted constituents, the OPSB determined that the proposed project would fail to serve the “public interest, convenience, and necessity” as required under Ohio law. The OPSB noted that each of the local governments with physical contact to the project – Stark County and Washington Township – acted to oppose its approval, and that the public comments and testimony received in the case reinforced the local government opposition. The project as proposed would consist of large arrays of solar panels and associated facilities occupying 555 acres within an 860-acre project area.
The OPSB also approved an amendment application filed by Big Plain Solar, LLC to allow for sheep grazing as an optional method of vegetation management at its solar energy facility in Madison County. Big Plain Solar plans to graze a herd of up to 4,500 sheep across 1,460 fenced-in acres within the project area, supplementing the use of mechanized mowing equipment.
Additional information regarding today’s entries and orders is available on the OPSB website at www.OPSB.ohio.gov or by visiting each case at the links below:
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The Ohio Power Siting Board
reviews applications for the construction of major utility facilities in Ohio.
Together with Ohio’s elected officials, citizen stakeholders, and the energy
industry, the Board strives to build a strong and competitive foundation for
Ohio’s future.
For additional information, contact: Matt Schilling | (614) 466-7750
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