Protect property rights and access to clean energy in Ohio
Renewable energy continues to face challenges in Ohio. In 2021, Senate Bill 52 (SB 52) gave county commissioners the power to establish “exclusion zones”, areas where wind and solar projects are prohibited. This added restriction places an unfair burden on renewable energy development, while fossil fuel projects remain largely unaffected.
Creating another hurdle to clean energy in Ohio has prompted us to work with local landowners and residents who support solar projects in their counties. Since this work began in 2023, we have helped secure OPSB approval of the Frasier Solar Project in Knox County and Eastern Cottontail in Fairfield County.
Solar exclusion zones passed by county commissioners limit the rights of farmers to do what they want with their own land. Landowners and farmers in our community know what is best for them and their families, and we need to support their decision to invest in renewable energy. We are losing more than just energy, our rights are also at risk.
Residents and activists in Richland County took action in August 2025, collecting petition signatures to take this decision to the ballot box. Ohio Citizen Action helped this locally led effort, and together we collected over 4,300 signatures from Richland County voters who want to see renewable energy on the ballot to counteract the SB52 style ban enacted by the county commissioners.
Ohio cannot afford to exclude renewable energy sources from our energy strategy.
Utility Scale Solar is a safe and reliable way to increase energy generated without increasing pollution or waste. These projects generate at least 50 megawatts (MW) of electricity per year.
1 MW of electricity is needed to power 300 homes. The smallest utility scale solar projects create enough energy to power 15,000 homes, offsetting the need for that electricity to come from other sources like coal. This can be achieved by a solar project with 250-400 acres of panels.
Ohio Citizen Action is working with communities across the state to empower solar supporters to speak out against solar restrictions in their community.
Communities receive real and tangible benefits from having a utility-scale solar project in the area. The increase of funding to the county helps raise county employees’ pay and allows public services like police and fire departments to hire more people.
School districts receiving money are able to hire more teachers and specialists, and invest in STEM programs and athletic facilities. Developers work with county commissioners to ensure the funding is going to priority community resources. For instance, when a solar project was developed in Paulding County, the local school district was able to hire a DARE officer and bring on 18 new teachers. In nearby Van Wert County, solar funding helped provide every student with a laptop for use at school.
A third of Ohio Counties have already banned utility scale solar projects.
One by one, counties across the state are banning solar projects even though Ohio needs to generate more energy. As of September 2025, 37 counties have passed a resolution creating a solar exclusion zone in at least 1 township in the county. The map provided below highlights counties that continue to protect landowners' property rights and have refrained from passing a solar ban that impacts 5 townships or more. Richland County residents are fighting back to protect their neighbors. While the county commissioners have established a solar exclusion zone, it has not gone into effect and voters will have their say on the May 2026 ballot.
Ohio Citizen Action is currently working across the state to empower local residents to share their support for solar projects. Work continues in Morrow County, supporting the Crossroads Solar Grazing Center. Ohio Citizen Action canvassers have talked to residents at their doors and on the phone. One thing is clear: we must continue to fight for a clean energy future and protect property rights.
Please write the Ohio Power Siting Board in support of the Crossroads Solar Grazing Center