In the months following the passing of electric aggregation initiatives in Athens County, several local officials say they have been discussing options for affordable renewable energy that could include a new solar energy plant built in Southeast Ohio.
Athens County Commissioner Chris Chmiel said he has spoken with David Wilhelm, one of the main backers of the Turning Point Solar project and former chair of the Democratic National Committee, about a proposed solar energy project that would be built in Noble County once its financiers secure funding.
“We had a little, I guess, impromptu meeting,” Chmiel said. “We’ve talked about their project a little bit. What they’re offering, what could that price be. Those kinds of concepts.”
Though the two did not talk about specific price points, Chmiel’s understanding is that the price would be a little bit higher than what the county is currently paying.
“One of the goals of our aggregation program is to have a lower price,” Chmiel said, adding that his goal is to keep energy dollars local.
“In Guernsey County or Noble County or wherever it is, that’s better than Texas,” Chmiel said.
If it could be done affordably, Chmiel said he’s “more” interested.
Athens Mayor Paul Wiehl said he hasn’t been approached directly, but he is aware of the discussion.
“I believe it was a state rep who brought (Turning Point) up, saying it was an opportunity for local renewable energy,” Wiehl said. “We are still in conversations with the county. We both feel that we should be stressing alternative if not renewable energy.”
He is also interested in how close to home a substantial source of renewable energy could be acquired.
“How local is local? Is it Indiana? Midwest or Western?” Wiehl said. “How much will it cost to put in and generate the electricity and how much will that price look like?”
Wilhelm has declined to speak for stories involving Turning Point negotiations, and Evan Blumer, partner at New Harvest Ventures, did not return request for comment.
Whatever happens, the cost would be shared with the city, Chmiel said, adding that before anything gets decided, the city and the county must establish an aggregation council to determine and govern the aggregation process.
That would open the door for other municipalities to join the council, such as Amesville, which Chmiel said could pass an aggregation ballot initiative this spring similar to the one Athens passed in November.
All municipalities within the county must pass aggregation on their own, and all of the areas in the county not within a municipality fall under the county’s plan for aggregation. The council will work on aggregation for the county as well as municipalities that join, such as the city of Athens.
Wiehl said he believes the transition to renewable energy is a necessity.
"We’re falling behind and anything that can help that would be useful,” Wiehl said.
But Chmiel added the process will need to be a blend of idealism and realism.
“We want a blend of reasonable goals in there, and we have energy suppliers that say, ‘Yeah, we can do that,’” he said. “We don’t want to make it too hard that energy supplies won’t want to help.”
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