In central Ohio, a fight has been going on for more than a year between developers of a solar project and a so-called “grassroots” group that doesn’t want it built.

Knox Smart Development popped up late last year to fight the 120 MW Frasier Solar project, holding a town hall and otherwise campaigning to stir up opposition to the project. Kathiann Kowalski reported for the Energy News Network that the group has appeared at three public hearings in front of Ohio’s energy project siting board, and made more than 100 unique arguments against approving the project.

The problem? Half of those comments contained misinformation, and “do not present credible or compelling opposition to the proposed project,” said Heidi Gorovitz Robertson, a professor at Cleveland State University College of Law.

Last week, Knox Smart Development founder Jared Yost hinted at where some of Knox Smart Development’s support and misinformation may be coming from.

In a hearing with the energy siting board, Yost testified that Tom Rastin, the former head of oil and gas compressor company Ariel Corportation, is one of the group’s biggest donors. Rastin also reportedly leads The Empowerment Alliance, a dark money nonprofit that advocates for the natural gas industry. Another Empowerment Alliance leader spoke at one of Knox Smart Development’s town halls last year. 

Yost denied that The Empowerment Alliance influenced his opposition to the Frasier project, but clean energy advocates say Knox Smart Development is just another example of how fossil fuel interests are disguising themselves behind community-led groups to make their fights against clean energy feel organic and credible.

Read more about how misinformation is fueling this unfolding solar fight at the Energy News Network.

More clean energy news

👷 Unions’ clean energy: The Inflation Reduction Act’s labor standards for clean energy development could create as many as 3.9 million jobs across 6,285 burgeoning projects, a labor advocacy group says. (Utility Dive)

🔌 Virtual (power plant) reality: Xcel Energy in Minnesota wants to build virtual power plants that combine solar power generation and energy storage — a technology analysts say is “well past pilot scale” and ready for full deployment in North America. (Energy News Network, Utility Dive)

⚠️ Cautionary tale: State policies could supercharge utility-scale clean energy deployment, but experts say too rapid of an expansion could strengthen opposition, and that local participation in the siting process is still key. (Utility Dive)

🚘 EVs’ new charge: Experts say solid state batteries have the potential to transform the auto sector by giving electric vehicles hundreds of miles more of range per charge. (Inside Climate News)

🔋 Managing the load: Cleantech experts say home power management systems are set to become essential as homeowners switch to electric appliances and vehicles, as well as add at-home power generation. (Bloomberg)

🚍 Going for sustainability gold: A sustainability advocate says Los Angeles will need an “epic transportation reboot” to achieve a zero-emission Olympic Games in 2028. (Los Angeles Times)

🇺🇸 Plus, some politics:

  • Conservatives for clean energy: A national advocacy group founded in 2016 aims to make the conservative case that clean energy will win in free market competition and support private property rights. (USA Today)
  • Keeping climate quiet: Observers say Vice President Kamala Harris is seemingly making a “deliberate choice” to minimally mention climate as she tries to downplay divisive issues in her campaign, though allies say it’s still clear where she stands on the topic. (Washington Post, New York Times)
  • Learning from Minnesota: U.S. climate advocates say Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s measured and bureaucratic approach to clean energy programs, and success in attracting federal funding, will lead to policy gains at the federal level. (E&E News)

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Kathryn brings her extensive editorial background to the Energy News Network team, where she oversees the early-morning production of ENN’s five email digest newsletters as well as distribution of ENN’s original journalism with other media outlets. From documenting chronic illness’ effect on college students to following the inner workings of Congress, Kathryn has built a broad experience in her more than five years working at major publications including The Week Magazine. Kathryn holds a Bachelor of Science in magazine journalism and information management and technology from Syracuse University.