[August 24, 2025] – In Fairfield County, a growing chorus of residents, elected officials, and community groups are raising the alarm over what they describe as a pattern of inconsistent actions and the silencing of public dissent regarding a large-utility scale solar development.
The community called Citizens for Fair Fields is now calling for answers from elected officials who they claim are ignoring their constituents. The controversy centers on the Eastern Cottontail solar project, which is being held to a different set of standards than the Carnation Solar project in Amanda Township. Despite Eastern Cottontail’s significant impact—its second phase will affect over 1,000 homes in a single mile—the commissioners’ public actions seem to contradict their stated principles. While the commissioners officially opposed the Carnation project, they have provided no official support for the opposition to Eastern Cottontail. This is a clear case of disparate treatment, even with Commissioner Jeff Fix’s personal letter of opposition. Furthermore, public records indicate that Commissioner Levacy, who has publicly committed to protecting property rights, voted to approve an exclusionary zone that restricts the rights of landowners. Adding to the controversy is the alleged lack of impartiality in the decision-making process. The community points to a series of events that suggest public input is a mere formality.
A Prosecutor’s recommendation for local officials to remain ‘neutral’ on the project, paired with the silencing of two Walnut Township Trustees due to perceived conflicts of interest, effectively muted the voice of local representation. With only one trustee left to speak for the public, there could be no official vote from the township—the very entity most directly impacted. The opposition also alleges that fear and intimidation are being used to silence dissent. Commissioners have publicly cited a fear of being sued as a reason to remain neutral, a stance that residents find concerning. This fear seems to be prioritized over the concerns of the public, which have been overwhelmingly expressed.
A review of signed petitions from the OPSB public hearing reveals a clear majority of opposition, with 302 Fairfield County residents formally opposing the project compared to just 21 in support. Despite this, and the opposition from 12 of 13 townships, three nearby villages, and multiple community associations, the project was approved. Following the OPSB’s vote, Commissioner Davis declined to answer media questions about his vote, citing fear of a potential lawsuit. The community asserts that the county’s lack of a consistent, principled approach and apparent disregard for resident concerns highlights a deep-seated controversy that demands scrutiny.
“We are not anti-solar. We are for fairness, for consistency, and for the right of our community to be heard by our elected officials,” said a spokesperson for the local opposition group. “Public trust erodes when commissioners say one thing and do another, when the voices of elected trustees and hundreds of residents are muted, and when health, welfare, and financial risks are pushed onto the community. The people of Fairfield County deserve a public process that is fair and transparent.”
The community is urging members of the media to investigate these claims, examine the public record, and seek interviews with the commissioners and other officials involved. About Citizens for Fair Fields Citizens for Fair Fields is a grassroots organization of local farmers, friends, family, and neighbors in Fairfield County, Ohio.
Their mission is to inform the community about proposed utility-scale solar projects and advocate for the preservation of prime farmland and natural spaces.
For more information, contact: Melissa Hoover Connor at (614) 374-1352 or by email: [email protected].
