COLUMBUS, Ohio — In its latest round of regulatory decisions, the Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) greenlit a major electric transmission infrastructure upgrade in Athens County while concurrently locking down its rejection of a highly contested utility-scale solar farm in Morrow County.
The rulings, issued Wednesday, address two separate, high-profile energy issues winding their way through the state’s permitting process.
Modernizing the Grid in Athens County
The OPSB formally approved an application from AEP Ohio Transmission Company to overhaul 8.3 miles of the existing Elliott-Lee Transmission Line. The project spans Alexander, Athens, and Lee townships.
The upgrade is designed to enhance grid reliability, improve line performance, and significantly reduce the need for routine maintenance. Key details of the transmission line overhaul include:
- Voltage Increase: The capacity of the line will double, stepping up from 69 kilovolts (kV) to 138 kV.
- Structural Upgrades: Existing wooden poles will be completely phased out and replaced by sturdier steel monopoles.
- Route Adjustment: The vast majority of the rebuild (6.9 miles) will remain inside or adjacent to the current right-of-way. However, to optimize the path, the line will deviate from the original footprint in three sections totaling 1.4 miles.
The line runs south from the Elliott Substation off U.S. Route 52 to the Lee Substation off U.S. Route 32. To mitigate environmental and community disruption, the OPSB is forcing AEP to adhere to 28 strict compliance conditions throughout the construction and operational phases.
Rehearing Denied for Defunct “Crossroads Solar” Project
In a separate but heavily watched decision, the board officially denied requests for a rehearing regarding the Crossroads Solar Grazing Center. The applications for a second look had been filed by the developer, Open Road Renewables, and supporting parties.
The decision deals a final blow to the proposed 94-megawatt, 700-acre project in Morrow County, which aimed to combine solar panels with live sheep grazing.
The OPSB initially rejected the $98 million project in March following a fierce local battle. While regulatory staff originally acknowledged the project would bring jobs, tax revenue, and clean energy to the grid, the board ultimately denied the certificate on the grounds that the project failed to serve the “public interest, convenience, and necessity.” The denial followed consistent and heavy opposition from local residents and township trustees, despite later controversies involving allegedly fabricated public opposition comments submitted to the state.
Wednesday’s denial of a rehearing permanently stalls the project under its current state application.
For further public documents regarding these cases, visitors can access the online docket at OPSB.ohio.gov using case numbers 24-0978-EL-BTX (Elliott-Lee) and 25-142-EL-BGN (Crossroads).
