FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Ohio — A grassroots citizens group has taken its fight against the proposed Eastern Cottontail Solar Project to the Ohio Supreme Court, arguing that community concerns were ignored during the approval process and that fear of litigation outweighed the voices of local residents.
Citizens for Fair Fields (CFFF) announced Tuesday that it has officially filed an appeal challenging the Ohio Power Siting Board’s (OPSB) approval of the project. Walnut Township Trustees have joined the appeal, signaling expanded local government support for the legal challenge. The appeal halts full-scale construction by developer EDF Renewables while the case is reviewed.
According to CFFF, the escalation became necessary after residents’ objections were dismissed by the OPSB and Fairfield County Commissioners were split on whether to oppose the project. Commissioner Steve Davis has publicly stated that concerns over potential lawsuits influenced the commission’s decision-making.
“The filing of this appeal is the result of a long, frustrating process where community concerns were systematically devalued,” said Melissa Hoover Connor, spokesperson for Citizens for Fair Fields. “When our own county commissioners were divided and fear of being sued entered the conversation, it became clear that protecting farmland and residents was being overshadowed by outside pressure.”
CFFF also claims that early activity by EDF Renewables has reinforced residents’ concerns. The group says pre-construction soil testing has already resulted in safety and nuisance issues, including blocked roadways, mud tracked onto public roads, and semi-trucks parked in inappropriate locations.
“If the developer can’t manage basic pre-construction work without creating hazards, how can residents trust them to responsibly operate a massive industrial solar facility for decades?” Connor said.
The organization maintains that it supports renewable energy but believes large-scale solar projects should be located on brownfields or underutilized land rather than productive farmland.
“Our mission remains the same,” Connor added. “We want to keep farmland growing and protect the safety and character of our community.”
Citizens for Fair Fields is a grassroots organization focused on farmland preservation, property rights, and community-driven energy policy in Fairfield County and surrounding areas.
