State College Firm Studies Ohl Reservoir Acreage for Solar Project
LOCK HAVEN, PA – All of a sudden, Clinton County is looking at not one, but two prospective large scale solar projects. It was revealed at Monday night’s Lock Haven City Council meeting that the BAI Group of State College is pursuing use of 186 acres of the Ohl Reservoir parcels for what the company calls a “utility scale solar array project.”
That word follows announcement of a public hearing this week on a proposal from a Virginia company seeking to locate some kind of solar operation along both sides of the boundary between East and West Keating Townships. A public hearing on that special use zoning request will be heard by the Clinton County Zoning Hearing Board Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Clinton County Courthouse.
As for the Ohl Reservoir project at Rosecrans, city council Monday night gave its approval to a 2-year lease with BAI, based on the State College firm’s bid of $13,950. The previous leasee was Shrack Farms which had submitted a bid of $7,430 for continued farming purposes. Council approved the BAI bid on a 5-2 vote. Council member Rick Conklin said a solar project would not be a “good use” of the site on a watershed used for hiking and walking; he also expressed concerns about heavy equipment on the site. Bill Mincer was the second “no” vote as council gave its approval.
In a letter to council, BAI Group President James Echard said the company is seeking multiple tracks of land for large scale solar developments to “serve the PJM Interconnection utility grid.” As for the Ohl acreage, BAI plans to pursue permitting to support “the potential development of a utility scale solar array project.” Echard said an ultimate decision on development will depend on its economic viability. The BAI bid is for two years with a possible extension to 25 years.
City council’s Monday approval directed the city solicitor to draw up the formal lease agreement.
Council’s first meeting of the New Year also saw member Steve Stevenson unanimously returned as council vice-president. Council also approved appointments to various authorities, boards and commissions for 2021.
