Ohio Citizen Action
@ohiocitizen.org
Ohio Citizen Action informs, organizes, and mobilizes people to advocate for public interests across issues and campaigns.
It's official: Ballot language is certified for Richland County's May 5 referendum on the solar/wind ban. "We're banning these projects, we're banning development in Richland County. There's no reason to do that now." - Brian McPeek, IBEW 688 Business Manager.
https://bit.ly/4tvAMLL
https://bit.ly/4tvAMLL
Richland County Board of Elections OKs wind/solar ballot language for May primary
Language for a county-wide solar/wind power issue and new U.S. congressional districts are among the things voters need to understand.
www.richlandsource.com
February 15, 2026 at 6:44 PM
It's official: Ballot language is certified for Richland County's May 5 referendum on the solar/wind ban. "We're banning these projects, we're banning development in Richland County. There's no reason to do that now." - Brian McPeek, IBEW 688 Business Manager.
https://bit.ly/4tvAMLL
https://bit.ly/4tvAMLL
FirstEnergy paid a lawyer $25,000 A MONTH to do nothing. When one of their own lawyers asked why, they fired him. That 'nothing' turned out to be a $4.3 million bribe to Ohio's top energy regulator. https://bit.ly/4rooKCA
FirstEnergy lawyer ‘separated’ after questioning ‘bulls-’ contract at center of bribery case - Signal Ohio
“It’s bad enough that we are paying this guy every month to do nothing," reads an email from a FirstEnergy lawyer, later 'separated' from the company.
signalohio.org
February 14, 2026 at 8:14 PM
FirstEnergy paid a lawyer $25,000 A MONTH to do nothing. When one of their own lawyers asked why, they fired him. That 'nothing' turned out to be a $4.3 million bribe to Ohio's top energy regulator. https://bit.ly/4rooKCA
Why did Richland County commissioners ban wind and solar before a single project was even proposed? One citizen wanted answers and helped put a referendum on the May 5 ballot. Read their letter to the editor. 👇 https://bit.ly/3Oh3oZ8
Letter to the Editor: May 5 offers Richland County voters choice on wind & solar
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 m...
www.richlandsource.com
February 13, 2026 at 8:55 PM
Why did Richland County commissioners ban wind and solar before a single project was even proposed? One citizen wanted answers and helped put a referendum on the May 5 ballot. Read their letter to the editor. 👇 https://bit.ly/3Oh3oZ8
The Akron Beacon Journal editorial board says it plainly: Big Tech gets the tax breaks. You get the higher electric bill. Data centers are projected to create just 0.5% of Ohio's statewide employment by 2030. The tax subsidies work out to roughly $1 MILLION per job created. https://bit.ly/3MHMpPf
How Ohio's massive tech tax breaks inflated electric bills | Editorial
These data centers provide economic benefit, but are they worth the cost?
www.beaconjournal.com
February 12, 2026 at 10:11 PM
The Akron Beacon Journal editorial board says it plainly: Big Tech gets the tax breaks. You get the higher electric bill. Data centers are projected to create just 0.5% of Ohio's statewide employment by 2030. The tax subsidies work out to roughly $1 MILLION per job created. https://bit.ly/3MHMpPf
Should the government tell you what you can and can't do with your own land? That's what's at stake on May 5 in Richland County. County commissioners imposed a blanket ban on large-scale solar and wind projects across 11 townships. https://www.nobanonpropertyrights.com/news/ballot-language-approved
February 11, 2026 at 6:44 PM
Should the government tell you what you can and can't do with your own land? That's what's at stake on May 5 in Richland County. County commissioners imposed a blanket ban on large-scale solar and wind projects across 11 townships. https://www.nobanonpropertyrights.com/news/ballot-language-approved
"With rising energy expenses a political flashpoint around the country, the FirstEnergy saga is a cautionary tale about the toxic combination of near-monopoly utilities, the political players who regulate them, and the unfettered influence of campaign cash." https://bit.ly/4qw3bim
Dirty power, dark money: an Ohio cautionary tale for the country - The Boston Globe
The FirstEnergy utility corruption scandal has broad national implications.
www.bostonglobe.com
February 10, 2026 at 6:55 PM
"With rising energy expenses a political flashpoint around the country, the FirstEnergy saga is a cautionary tale about the toxic combination of near-monopoly utilities, the political players who regulate them, and the unfettered influence of campaign cash." https://bit.ly/4qw3bim
Dayton's community aggregation program just made a game-changing move: partnering with Gem City Solar to provide 30% of residential energy at a fixed price for 25 years. This is how communities take control of their energy and save $42 MILLION doing it. 🌞 https://bit.ly/4alTLjn
February 10, 2026 at 6:14 PM
Dayton's community aggregation program just made a game-changing move: partnering with Gem City Solar to provide 30% of residential energy at a fixed price for 25 years. This is how communities take control of their energy and save $42 MILLION doing it. 🌞 https://bit.ly/4alTLjn
Reposted by Ohio Citizen Action
Are faked public comments about to tank an Ohio solar farm? ohiocapitaljournal.com/2026/02/10/a...
Are faked public comments about to tank an Ohio solar farm? • Ohio Capital Journal
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.
ohiocapitaljournal.com
February 10, 2026 at 1:21 PM
Are faked public comments about to tank an Ohio solar farm? ohiocapitaljournal.com/2026/02/10/a...
Reposted by Ohio Citizen Action
Register here: greatohioclimatemarch.org/register-for...
February 10, 2026 at 12:49 PM
Register here: greatohioclimatemarch.org/register-for...
DeWine leaves office in 11 months and won't address Ohio's energy crisis. He oversaw the biggest utility scandal in state history and signed SB 52, which continues blocking renewable energy projects statewide. He's set an incredibly low bar for whomever takes office in 2027. https://bit.ly/4rFwik8
The next governor must chart an equitable, affordable, and farsighted Ohio energy future. Specifics from the candidates are needed: editorial
How will the next governor deal with the potential strain data center power needs may place on Ohio’s grid, or related steep rate increases electric utilities may want residential and non-data-center ...
www.cleveland.com
February 9, 2026 at 9:28 PM
DeWine leaves office in 11 months and won't address Ohio's energy crisis. He oversaw the biggest utility scandal in state history and signed SB 52, which continues blocking renewable energy projects statewide. He's set an incredibly low bar for whomever takes office in 2027. https://bit.ly/4rFwik8
This isn't new - 20 states already prove community energy works. Local projects, lower bills, and communities stay in control. HB 303 passed the House overwhelmingly. Tell your senator: pass HB 303 now. https://bit.ly/4tpuI7H
February 9, 2026 at 9:28 PM
This isn't new - 20 states already prove community energy works. Local projects, lower bills, and communities stay in control. HB 303 passed the House overwhelmingly. Tell your senator: pass HB 303 now. https://bit.ly/4tpuI7H
Excellent investigative work by @KathiannKowalski at @CanaryMedia. Her reporting reveals how fabricated opposition is being used to block Ohio solar projects. This matters for democracy and clean energy. https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/solar/faked-public-comments-ohio-solar-farm
Are faked public comments about to tank an Ohio solar farm?
Dozens of public comments opposing the $98 million Crossroads Solar project appear to be fabricated. Ohio’s siting board may block the project anyway.
www.canarymedia.com
February 8, 2026 at 6:40 PM
Excellent investigative work by @KathiannKowalski at @CanaryMedia. Her reporting reveals how fabricated opposition is being used to block Ohio solar projects. This matters for democracy and clean energy. https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/solar/faked-public-comments-ohio-solar-farm
Poll: Majority of Trump supporters want more solar energy—especially American-made. First Solar, America's largest solar panel manufacturer, has facilities in Perrysburg and Lake Township. At the same time, Ohio counties are blocking solar projects. https://bit.ly/4ahbHeV
Majority of Trump supporters want more solar energy, survey finds
Widespread support for solar energy exists among voters who supported President Trump’s successful 2024 re-election campaign, according to results of a ...
www.toledoblade.com
February 7, 2026 at 7:52 PM
Poll: Majority of Trump supporters want more solar energy—especially American-made. First Solar, America's largest solar panel manufacturer, has facilities in Perrysburg and Lake Township. At the same time, Ohio counties are blocking solar projects. https://bit.ly/4ahbHeV
Ohio manufacturers say utilities are inflating electricity demand forecasts to justify unnecessary infrastructure spending—and sticking customers with the bill. Utilities make money based on how much infrastructure they build, NOT how much electricity actually flows through it
https://bit.ly/4tlfQHl
https://bit.ly/4tlfQHl
Ohio manufacturers say utilities, not data centers, responsible for electric bill hikes
COLUMBUS — Data centers aren’t the primary cause for increased electric bills across the state, leaders of the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association said ...
toledoblade.com
February 6, 2026 at 10:07 PM
Ohio manufacturers say utilities are inflating electricity demand forecasts to justify unnecessary infrastructure spending—and sticking customers with the bill. Utilities make money based on how much infrastructure they build, NOT how much electricity actually flows through it
https://bit.ly/4tlfQHl
https://bit.ly/4tlfQHl
Oh the irony 🫤 A comment signed "REAL PEOPLE THAT LIVE HERE DO NOT WANT THE SOLAR SCAM!" appears to be from someone who doesn't actually live there. When you remove the fakes 78% of real people SUPPORT Crossroads Solar.
https://bit.ly/4quNN5S
https://bit.ly/4quNN5S
Are faked public comments about to tank an Ohio solar farm?
Dozens of public comments opposing the $98 million Crossroads Solar project appear to be fabricated. Ohio’s siting board may block the project anyway.
www.canarymedia.com
February 5, 2026 at 10:10 PM
Oh the irony 🫤 A comment signed "REAL PEOPLE THAT LIVE HERE DO NOT WANT THE SOLAR SCAM!" appears to be from someone who doesn't actually live there. When you remove the fakes 78% of real people SUPPORT Crossroads Solar.
https://bit.ly/4quNN5S
https://bit.ly/4quNN5S
Former Richland County Commissioners Ed Olson and Gary Utt urge a NO vote on May 5th: "This isn't about being 'for' or 'against' renewable energy. It's about who gets to make decisions about private property in Richland County." https://bit.ly/4rAx41S
Letter to the Editor: Former Richland County Commissioners weigh in on local renewable energy issue
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 ...
www.richlandsource.com
February 4, 2026 at 8:05 PM
Former Richland County Commissioners Ed Olson and Gary Utt urge a NO vote on May 5th: "This isn't about being 'for' or 'against' renewable energy. It's about who gets to make decisions about private property in Richland County." https://bit.ly/4rAx41S
FirstEnergy exec's defense hinges on painting deceased former PUCO chair Sam Randazzo as a "conman and thief" who victimized them with the $4.3M they paid weeks before his appointment. Blaming a man who can't defend himself. That's the strategy. https://bit.ly/45PAOUK
FirstEnergy defendants say $4.3 million wasn’t a bribe
In their most comprehensive explanation of their innocence to date, lawyers for FirstEnergy’s executives say their money wasn't a bribe. It was stolen.
signalohio.org
February 4, 2026 at 5:46 PM
FirstEnergy exec's defense hinges on painting deceased former PUCO chair Sam Randazzo as a "conman and thief" who victimized them with the $4.3M they paid weeks before his appointment. Blaming a man who can't defend himself. That's the strategy. https://bit.ly/45PAOUK
Solar has been America's #1 source of new electricity capacity for 27 straight months and is on track to surpass coal's TOTAL installed capacity before the end of 2026. https://electrek.co/2026/02/02/ferc-renewables-power-generating-capacity-to-nov-2025/
February 3, 2026 at 5:51 PM
Solar has been America's #1 source of new electricity capacity for 27 straight months and is on track to surpass coal's TOTAL installed capacity before the end of 2026. https://electrek.co/2026/02/02/ferc-renewables-power-generating-capacity-to-nov-2025/
No Ban on Property Rights volunteers gathered for our first deep canvassing training. Every conversation with a Richland County voter is a chance to share the truth about voting No in May.
Next volunteer date is Feb 7: https://bit.ly/4qcJpYK
Next volunteer date is Feb 7: https://bit.ly/4qcJpYK
February 2, 2026 at 10:35 PM
No Ban on Property Rights volunteers gathered for our first deep canvassing training. Every conversation with a Richland County voter is a chance to share the truth about voting No in May.
Next volunteer date is Feb 7: https://bit.ly/4qcJpYK
Next volunteer date is Feb 7: https://bit.ly/4qcJpYK
Larry Householder's attorneys are floating a plea deal for his upcoming state trial—but experts say none of his three options (plea deal, Supreme Court appeal, or Trump pardon) are likely to succeed. His state trial for stealing $750K+ from campaign funds starts this June. https://bit.ly/4q4TIhL
Ex-Ohio Speaker Larry Householder open to plea deal to avoid state corruption trial, say attorneys • Ohio Capital Journal
The attorneys for former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder are open to taking a plea deal to avoid his state corruption trial in Cuyahoga County this summer.
ohiocapitaljournal.com
January 31, 2026 at 1:50 AM
Larry Householder's attorneys are floating a plea deal for his upcoming state trial—but experts say none of his three options (plea deal, Supreme Court appeal, or Trump pardon) are likely to succeed. His state trial for stealing $750K+ from campaign funds starts this June. https://bit.ly/4q4TIhL
"When renewable projects do advance in Ohio, communities feel clear and tangible benefits. In Brown County, for example, from one solar project, landowners received substantial proceeds and the project payments accounted for 11% of the county’s 2024 budget."
https://bit.ly/4qNmYKP
https://bit.ly/4qNmYKP
Opinion: Ohio's opportunity to lead in clean energy competitiveness
By improving our energy policies to reflect business desires, companies seeking clean, affordable power will invest, expand and innovate in Ohio.
www.crainscleveland.com
January 29, 2026 at 8:54 PM
"When renewable projects do advance in Ohio, communities feel clear and tangible benefits. In Brown County, for example, from one solar project, landowners received substantial proceeds and the project payments accounted for 11% of the county’s 2024 budget."
https://bit.ly/4qNmYKP
https://bit.ly/4qNmYKP
Reposted by Ohio Citizen Action
Homegrown Solar Energy Strengthens Rural America
->Environmental Law & Policy Center | More on "Solar energy in rural America" at BigEarthData.ai | #renewable energy #solar energy
->Environmental Law & Policy Center | More on "Solar energy in rural America" at BigEarthData.ai | #renewable energy #solar energy
Homegrown Solar Energy Strengthens Rural America
Homegrown Solar Energy Strengthens Rural America SHARE Across rural America, farmers, businesses, and landowners are turning to solar as a dependable, low-risk power source. Renewable energy like solar is now the nation’s lowest-cost form of electricity, and thanks to its...
elpc.org
January 28, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Seven years after the payment, FirstEnergy's former executives finally face trial in Akron for their role in Ohio's biggest corruption scandal. Jones and Dowling claim the $4.3M to PUCO chairman was legitimate. Prosecutors say it was a bribe. https://bit.ly/4qJnSrH
Trial begins of ex-FirstEnergy CEO accused bribery scheme
Jury selection is scheduled to begin Tuesday for a major piece of what’s likely the biggest corruption scandal in Ohio history.
signalohio.org
January 28, 2026 at 5:49 PM
Seven years after the payment, FirstEnergy's former executives finally face trial in Akron for their role in Ohio's biggest corruption scandal. Jones and Dowling claim the $4.3M to PUCO chairman was legitimate. Prosecutors say it was a bribe. https://bit.ly/4qJnSrH
Welcome to the team, Shannon Harper! 🎉 Shannon brings experience in civic engagement, education, and community organizing, plus a passion for history, local politics, and making sure every Ohioan exercises their right to vote. We're excited to have her expertise supporting our work! 💚
January 28, 2026 at 3:33 PM
Welcome to the team, Shannon Harper! 🎉 Shannon brings experience in civic engagement, education, and community organizing, plus a passion for history, local politics, and making sure every Ohioan exercises their right to vote. We're excited to have her expertise supporting our work! 💚
"by the early 2030s, the U.S. will be leaning harder than ever on an aging coal fleet, having deferred a wave of retirements, without having done enough to build replacement capacity." https://www.latitudemedia.com/news/another-capacity-crunch-is-coming/
Another capacity crunch is coming
Is the AI boom masking the looming challenge of 2030s coal retirements?
www.latitudemedia.com
January 27, 2026 at 9:34 PM
"by the early 2030s, the U.S. will be leaning harder than ever on an aging coal fleet, having deferred a wave of retirements, without having done enough to build replacement capacity." https://www.latitudemedia.com/news/another-capacity-crunch-is-coming/