RICHLAND COUNTY, OH – Today, the Richland County Board of Elections certified ballot language for the May 5th referendum on the County Commissioners' ban on future large-scale solar and wind development.

As former Richland County Commissioners, we understand the weight of decisions that affect our community’s economic future and the rights of our neighbors. That’s why we’re deeply concerned about the ban on future renewable energy development that our current County Commissioners passed last summer — and why we’re asking voters to join us in voting […]

Richland County forbade large-scale renewable energy in most townships. Next May, voters will have a chance to reject the rules in a first-of-its-kind referendum.

Did you know that a single utility-scale solar project can be the region's highest economic driver, providing six times more jobs than other local sites? That’s what renewable energy development can mean for working families in Richland County. In plain terms, that means our neighbors get the first crack at the work. It keeps our people here, our paychecks here and our pride here.

While local labor unions were fighting to get on the jobsite of a solar project in neighboring Morrow County, the Richland County Commissioners were authorizing receipt of petitions from electors to have a referendum placed on the May 2026 ballot to allow large-scale solar and wind projects in Richland County.

Dear Richland County Residents:

I am a grandmother who believes in freedom and science. I want to leave a better world behind for my children, grandchildren and generations to come. I have lived in Richland County my entire life as did my parents, grandparents and great grandparents.

To the editor, we need to talk about this May 5 wind and solar referendum. 

I have been reading the local newspaper for a few years. Last year, the Richland Source released an article about a future meeting of the county commissioners banning wind and solar development in parts of the county.

As a mother and a former Mansfield City Council member, I’ve learned that the strongest communities are built on trust — trust in our neighbors to make thoughtful decisions about their own lives and their own land.

That’s why I’m voting “No” on the May 5th renewable energy ban referendum.