The Indian Lake Advocacy Group (ILAG) has reacted to Friday morning’s announcement from Open Road Renewables.
The ILAG is a grassroots organization dedicated to protecting the interests of Indian Lake residents and preserving the environmental and community integrity of the region.
Open Road Renewables has withdrawn its application for the Grange Solar Grazing Center, a solar project that was proposed to be constructed at Indian Lake.
The press release is below:
In response to unanimous local government opposition, overwhelming public opposition, and the Ohio Power Siting Board’s (OPSB) recommendation to deny the project, Open Road Renewables announced that they were withdrawing their application on Friday, February 28, 2025, for the Grange Solar project. The project, which was proposed to abut the Indian Lake region, faced significant resistance from both the community and local government entities.
Bud Christman, President of the Indian Lake Advocacy Group, expressed his gratitude for the local elected officials’ recognition of the risk the project presented and the community’s efforts. “Indian Lake is a special place, cherished by residents and visitors alike for its natural beauty and recreational opportunities. The recognition of its value as a resort area played a crucial role in our fight against the Grange Solar project. This decision ensures that the unparalleled nature of the Indian Lake Region will be preserved for all visitors to enjoy.” said Christman.
Open Road Renewables complained that the decisions made by elected officials were based on misinformation, fears, and lies and that the OPSB placed great emphasis on the input from government. However, the OPSB staff report “notes that the governmental agencies and representatives….are local officials responsible for representing and serving their respective communities. These responsibilities include preserving the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens within their respective communities. The strong opposition to the project that is documented by the county, all five impacted townships, and the impacted village is especially noteworthy and compelling.” The OPSB Staff went on to note, “opposition to the project has been long-standing and unwavering, which is a strong measure of the local opposition to the project.”
Steve Reid, Councilman for the Village of Russells Point, stated “After conducting due diligence and research, I, and other local officials, all concluded that the proposed project posed significant risks to our community. As an elected official, it is my duty to ensure the welfare of our residents. The potential impact on our tourism, disruption to our community, and lack of public support were all compelling reasons to oppose this project. The decision of the local elected officials was based on the factual concerns and the overwhelming opposition from our constituents.” Every township currently involved in the Grange Solar project had signed a resolution in 2022 restricting industrial solar development as a clear statement as to their position on these types of projects in the region.
Aubrey Snapp, a representative of the Indian Lake Advocacy Group, emphasized the strength and unity of the community in opposing the project. ” We want to thank our local elected officials because having unanimous local government opposition was essential for this positive outcome. The overwhelming opposition to the Grange Solar project is a testament to the strength of our community. We were concerned about our tourism industry, farmers, local businesses, and residents in the community alike. Our voices were heard, and we stood together to protect the Indian Lake Region. This victory belongs to the entire community,” said Snapp.
