In a move set to significantly alter Ohio’s energy landscape, state officials have granted environmental permits for two major projects: a natural gas-fired power plant in Carroll County and a solar farm atop the former Sands Hill Coal Mine in Vinton County. These projects, if realized as planned, could collectively power hundreds of thousands of homes within the 13-state regional electricity grid.
The approvals come at a time when Ohio is grappling with soaring energy demands, driven largely by the proliferation of data centers. The state legislature has recently passed measures to streamline the development of new energy infrastructure, aiming to meet these growing needs.
Natural Gas Plant in Carroll County
The Chestnut Run Energy Project spearheaded by Boston-based Advanced Power and backed by private equity firm ArcLight Capital Partners will span 240 acres in Carroll County. This marks the first time since 2019 that a non-data-center-affiliated gas power plant has received a permit to build in Ohio, according to records from the Ohio Power Siting Board.
The project is expected to generate 500 construction-related jobs and create 20 long-term operational positions. However, it is also projected to release millions of tons of carbon dioxide annually, along with smaller quantities of other pollutants. This development aligns with the state’s recent legislative efforts to attract gas plant developers by reducing property taxes and easing procedural hurdles.
Solar Farm on Former Coal Mine in Vinton County
In southern Ohio, Recurrent Energy a subsidiary of Canadian Solar plans to construct a 280-megawatt solar farm in Vinton County, the state’s least populated region. The project will feature 314,000 solar panels installed on the now-shuttered Sands Hill Coal Mine in Hamden, a town with a population of just 796.
The solar farm is anticipated to create 300 construction-related jobs and 11 long-term operational jobs. This approval stands in contrast to the eight industrial-scale solar projects rejected by the Ohio Power Siting Board since 2026. Those projects, all situated on agricultural land, faced formal opposition from local townships and grassroots resistance. A state law passed in 2026 empowers local governments and residents to significantly influence permitting decisions for solar developments.
Other Notable Decisions by the Ohio Power Siting Board
The Ohio Power Siting Board has also upheld its rejection of Sloopy Solar a proposed operation in Clark County. This decision sets the stage for a potential appeal to the Ohio supreme court. Additionally, the board denied a complaint from the anti-solar advocacy organization Citizens Against Fountain Point which had sought to overturn the permit granted to Fountain Point Solar in 2026. The organization has since appealed to the Ohio Supreme Court, which has yet to rule on the case.
