Help Citizens for Fair Fields save prime farmland
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We need your help! Citizens for Fair Fields is urgently trying to save nearly 2,300 acres of prime farmland from a foreign owned proposed industrial solar project in Fairfield County, Ohio. We are currently concentrating our efforts on the first of three projects because of its progress, but all three projects total nearly 5,000 acres! Solar companies, subsidized by our federal tax dollars, are invading our beautiful rural community to build massive industrial solar fields. Our farming and recreational community has an abundance of aquatic life, livestock, wildlife, including American Bald Eagles, Blue Herons, Egrets and Osprey that thrive in their natural habitat in the region which includes Buckeye Lake, wetlands, woods, farmland and waterways throughout the area.
Raising funds is critical in securing the most experienced attorney in this specialized field to represent our opposition to the project that will take some of the best land in the county out of production. According to American Farmland Trust, 72% of Ohio's agriculture land is considered "Nationally Significant" or land best suited for growing food and crops. Agriculture is Ohio's top industry and 1 out of every 8 jobs is agriculture related. Losing thousands of acres of farmland for at least 30 years to solar means losing many agricultural jobs as well as food and crop production. Industrial solar belongs in industrial settings, not on agricultural land.
TOP CONCERNS:
- Solar in Ohio is ony 12 to 15% efficient due to weather patterns
- Solar energy is not always available so other energy sources must be used to avoid brownouts and blackouts
- Severe storms, hail and tornadoes can damage solar panels and, at times, render them inoperable
- Damaged solar panels may leach contaminants into the soil and water supplies. Steel posts driven deep into the ground to support panel structures can, over time, oxidize and leach zinc into the soil which can be toxic to plants at certain levels.
- Fires in a large solar field are a concern due to lack of manpower, equipment and materials in rural fire departments. In addition, toxins and spread of fire to neighboring farm fields could be disasterous.
- Damage to field tiles occurs during installation of thousands of steel pilings causing drainage issues
- Property values can be negatively affected
- Property rights are an issue as some say owners should be able to do what they want with their property. However, rights of a few owners cannot infringe upon the rights of many owners. In many cases property owners who lease land for solar do not live in the area of the solar project where hundreds of thousands of solar panels, inverters, steels posts and other unsightly facilities are visible to residents.
- After decommissioning a solar project, estimated at 30 years, there is no proof the farmland will be usable again for growing crops without years of expensive reconditioning of the soil.
Please donate. Any amount is greatly appreciated!
We encourage everyone to get involved with your local public officials, township trustees and county commissioners. Write letters, go to their meetings and be informed!
The pictures below are of similar projects that have been constructed in other nearby Ohio counties, including views from residents' homes. This was previously beautiful farmland!
View from a resident's front yard
View from the road
View from a resident's front yard
Please donate! For more information please visit our website citizensforfairfields.org and follow us on Facebook at Citizens for Fair Fields. Watch for future updates.
Thank you for your support!
Organizer
Citizens for Fair Fields LLC
Organizer
Millersport, OH