More than 100 people attended a Champaign County Farm Bureau informational meeting Wednesday evening focused on landowner rights and the proposed expansion of electric transmission infrastructure in the region.
The meeting was held at Woods Restaurant at Woodland Golf Club in Cable and was titled “What to Do When Asked for Land Rights.”
The discussion covered property rights, eminent domain and agricultural districts, along with information for landowners who may be approached about easements or other land rights.
Dale Arnold, Director of Energy Development with the Ohio Farm Bureau, was the main speaker at the event.
Arnold discussed different types of energy infrastructure and the legal and regulatory processes involved with major projects.
The presentation covered transmission lines, pipelines, hydrogen and carbon dioxide injection, injection wells, energy storage, batteries, and electric infrastructure.
Arnold also discussed the growing demand for electricity from data centers and industrial development and how those projects can affect communities and agriculture.
Ohio Farm Bureau has held similar informational meetings statewide on transmission projects and landowner rights.
The presentation explained that major transmission projects can involve review at the federal, regional and state levels, including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, PJM Interconnection, and the Ohio Power Siting Board.
Arnold also explained that transmission lines over 100 kilovolts fall under the Ohio Power Siting Board’s adjudicatory process, where local governments and other interested parties can participate.
The presentation noted that the process considers issues including public need and necessity.
The meeting comes as the Champaign County Board of Commissioners has announced its opposition to the proposed Grid Growth Ventures 765-kilovolt transmission project through the county.
Grid Growth Ventures says it was selected by PJM to develop about 220 miles of new transmission infrastructure in Ohio, including approximately 185 miles of 765-kilovolt lines and 36 miles of 345-kilovolt lines.
The company’s Grid Growth West proposal includes two new 765-kilovolt lines and one new 345-kilovolt double-circuit line through portions of Darke, Shelby, Miami, Champaign, Clark, Madison, Union and Franklin counties.
Champaign County Commissioners say they understand the need for reliable and safe electricity, but have voiced concerns about routing large transmission structures through the county.
In a recent statement, the commissioners raised concerns about potential impacts on property owners and property values, farmland, drainage systems, wetlands including Cedar Bog, wildlife, local communities, and future development.
The commissioners also questioned the need for the size of the proposed infrastructure in a semi-rural area and said their role is to represent county residents and communicate the county’s position, while the final decision on the major transmission project rests with the Ohio Power Siting Board.
The presentation provided a tentative timeline for the project.
If the project receives the required approvals, the presentation showed a potential construction start in 2028, with projected in-service dates in 2030 and 2031.
Upcoming Public Meetings
The presentation also listed several upcoming project open houses throughout the region:
- Madison County: September 21, 4 to 7:30 p.m., Madison County Fairgrounds in London
- Clark County: September 22, 4 to 7:30 p.m., Clark County Fairgrounds in Springfield
- Champaign County: September 23, 4 to 7:30 p.m., Champaign County Fairgrounds in Urbana
- Union County: September 24, 4 to 7:30 p.m., Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Life Center in Marysville
- Franklin County: September 28, 4 to 7:30 p.m., Franklin County Fairgrounds in Hilliard
- Darke County: September 29, 4 to 7:30 p.m., Romer’s Catering Ballroom in Greenville
- Miami County: September 30, 4 to 7:30 p.m., Romer’s Catering Ballroom in Piqua
- Shelby County: October 1, 4 to 7:30 p.m., Sidney-Shelby YMCA
Residents are encouraged to attend the September 23 meeting and learn more about the proposed project and the Ohio Power Siting Board process.
