News

New law helps protect Ohio farmland and advance clean energy 

A new law allowing abandoned land to be used for clean energy development could help protect the state’s farmland. 

Luke Crumley, the director of public policy and nutrient management for Ohio Corn and Wheat, says this can help advance clean energy production.

“The legislature is recognizing the opportunity we have for more growth, but we have to be able to meet that energy demand,” he says. “Using abandoned land that is sitting and not being used that could be used productively to generate electricity, instead of taking more farmland out of production.”

According to a news release from the Ohio Corn and Wheat Growers Association, the legislation allows local governments to request Priority Investment Areas (PIAs) on former coal mines and brownfields to the state.

He tells Brownfield, “We have thousands of locations across the state that have been deemed eligible for solar development alone,” he says. “Those priority investment areas can receive special assistance from the state to help redevelop them specifically for electric generation.”

The legislation takes effect in August. 

AUDIO: Luke Crumley, Ohio Corn and Wheat