"Dozens of public comments opposing the $98 million Crossroads Solar project appear to be fabricated. Ohio’s siting board may block the project anyway."

"Ohio is poised to block a major solar farm because of local pushback — even though a substantial number of public comments opposing the installation appear to be fabricated.

Open Road Renewables plans to invest roughly $98 million for the 94-megawatt Crossroads Solar Grazing Center, which would use land in three townships in Morrow County, located about an hour north of Columbus.

The project has yet to obtain approval from the Ohio Power Siting Board, the state’s central authority for energy permitting. The evidentiary hearing — a key administrative trial — took place on seven days last month before the power siting board, which is expected to rule in the case by March 19.

To prepare for the hearing, Doug Herling, vice president of Open Road Renewables, reviewed the public comments filed with the power siting board. Beyond dozens of anonymous comments against the project, Herling found at least 34 instances in which people apparently gave false names or lied about their residence in Morrow County."

Kathiann M. Kowalski reports for Canary Media February 5, 2026. [2]