News from the Field
March 19, 2026
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Community & Local Issues
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Fabricated public comments may be derailing a $98M Ohio agrivoltaic solar project.
Allegedly ‘fabricated’ public comments are behind ‘local opposition’ to US solar panel farm: ‘Submitted under false identities, false addresses’
Unknown Author • 3/12/2026
Ohio
What it is:
- Open Road Renewables plans a 94MW solar grazing center in Morrow County, Ohio, combining sheep farming with solar production
- An investigation by Canary Media found opposition comments were allegedly submitted under false identities and addresses, artificially inflating local resistance
Why it matters:
- Fake public comments in regulatory proceedings can block legitimate projects that landowners and farmers want, undermining their right to benefit from renewables on their own land
- Agrivoltaic projects like this one offer farmers dual-use income from the same acreage, making fabricated opposition especially damaging to agricultural communities
What’s next: Regulators reviewing the Morrow County project must determine whether fabricated comments will be weighted in the approval process or discarded.
REFA’s Perspective: When bad actors flood public comment processes with fake submissions, real landowner voices get drowned out and legitimate projects get killed before they start. This Ohio case is a warning sign – fabricated opposition is a real tactic being used to strip farmers of their right to benefit from renewable energy on their own land. REFA urges members to stay engaged in local proceedings and make sure your authentic voice is on the record.
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Montgomery County commission votes against solar rezoning, putting 19 landowners’ lease income at risk.
Solar farm proposal earns ‘unfavorable’ recommendation
Unknown Author • 3/12/2026
Indiana
What it is:
- Montgomery County Advisory Plan Commission voted 6-2 to send an unfavorable recommendation on ENGIE North America’s Copper Box Solar Project rezoning petition
- The request would rezone about 1,800 agricultural acres across 19 parcels in Madison and Union townships to an agricultural overlay district
Why it matters:
- Landowners who signed leases with ENGIE could lose their solar income opportunity if the Board of Commissioners follows the commission’s unfavorable recommendation
- This case illustrates how local zoning opposition can override willing landowners’ right to decide how their own property is used
What’s next: The Montgomery County Board of Commissioners will make the final decision on the rezoning request and could accept or override the unfavorable recommendation.
REFA’s Perspective: When a majority of commissioners vote against a solar project, it is the willing landowners who pay the price – their right to lease their own land gets caught in the crossfire. This is exactly why REFA encourages farmers to get engaged early in the local zoning process, build relationships with county officials, and show up at public hearings to make their voices heard. If you are a landowner in Montgomery County, now is the time to contact your commissioners before the final vote.
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Lack of landowner participation kills a Michigan wind project after 6 years.
Oklahoma wind farm operator gives up on Michigan wind project
Unknown Author • 3/12/2026
MichiganOklahoma
What it is:
- Apex Clean Energy has abandoned the Montcalm Wind Project in Michigan after nearly 6 years of development
- The company cited insufficient landowner participation and community opposition as the reasons for walking away
Why it matters:
- Landowner participation is often the deciding factor in whether a wind project lives or dies – farmers hold real collective power
- When projects fail, farmers lose potential long-term lease income and the local economic benefits that come with wind development
What’s next: Farmers in areas with active wind proposals should get informed early so they can make deliberate, well-advised decisions about participation rather than reacting to community pressure.
REFA’s Perspective: This story is a reminder that farmers hold genuine power in wind development – your participation or non-participation can make or break a project. That power cuts both ways: it means you have leverage to negotiate strong lease terms, but it also means staying uninformed or sitting on the sidelines can cost you real income. REFA exists to help you engage from a position of knowledge and confidence, not react to outside pressure.
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Virginia landowners’ right to lease for solar faces community opposition delay.
Proposed Botetourt solar farm on hold after public hearing
Alexia Partouche • 3/10/2026
Virginia
What it is:
- Botetourt County Planning Commission voted 5-0 to table a 5.0 MW solar farm permit until June after 14 of 20 public speakers opposed it
- The Barkett family owns the 33-acre agricultural property and leased it to New Leaf Energy for a 40-year solar project with 12,000+ panels
Why it matters:
- Landowners’ right to lease their land for solar can be stalled or blocked when local planning processes amplify community opposition
- Concerns about panel materials, visual impact, and rural character are recurring friction points that landowners and developers must address early
What’s next: The planning commission revisits the permit in June, giving New Leaf Energy and the Barketts time to respond to community concerns about environmental impact and rural character.
REFA’s Perspective: The Barkett family has every right to decide how their land is used, including leasing it for solar, and that right deserves respect. But this case is a clear reminder that community engagement cannot be an afterthought – when neighbors feel blindsided, delays and denials follow. REFA encourages landowners to partner with developers who invest in transparent outreach early, so your renewable energy opportunity does not get derailed at the permit stage.
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Wind energy is funding vital senior services in rural Texas communities.
Wind Energy Revenues Help Rural Texas Seniors Age in Place with Dignity
EnviroLink News Team • 3/12/2026
Texas
What it is:
- Crockett County, TX leveraged Texas’s Section 312 tax abatement program to direct NextEra Energy wind farm contributions toward senior meal delivery and community programming in Ozona.
- County Judge Frank Tambunga negotiated charitable contributions to local nonprofits instead of accepting full property tax revenue loss, creating a replicable community investment model.
Why it matters:
- Wind energy can deliver community benefits well beyond individual lease payments, strengthening local support for hosting projects.
- When federal program funding is cut or disrupted, wind energy community contributions can fill the gap and protect rural services landowners and their neighbors depend on.
What’s next: As federal rural program funding faces ongoing uncertainty, counties with wind projects should explore how tax abatement negotiations can lock in direct community investment commitments from developers.
REFA’s Perspective: This story is a powerful reminder that hosting wind energy on your land does more than generate lease income – it can sustain the rural communities and neighbors we all care about. It also highlights why county-level tax abatement negotiations matter: a well-crafted agreement can turn a developer’s tax break into real services for real people. Pay attention to what your county commissioners are negotiating on your community’s behalf.
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Property Rights & Policy
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Wisconsin bill could let local governments veto renewable projects on your land.
Bill Would Give Local Governments Veto Power Over Solar, Wind Farms » Urban Milwaukee
Joe Schulz • 3/12/2026
Wisconsin
What it is:
- A Wisconsin GOP bill would require solar and wind projects of 15 MW or more to win approval from every local municipality before the PSC can issue a statewide permit.
- The bill singles out renewables only – fossil fuel plants face no new local approval requirement – and is a direct response to community opposition in counties like Oconto and Adams.
Why it matters:
- Farmers who want to lease land for solar or wind could be blocked by local political opposition even when a project is otherwise approvable, putting lease income at risk.
- Ohio’s experience with similar laws is a warning sign: counties moved to ban wind and solar outright, sharply limiting opportunities for landowners who wanted to participate.
What’s next: The bill is now before the Senate Committee on Utilities, Technology and Tourism, and its advancement could significantly reshape Wisconsin landowners’ ability to secure and complete renewable energy lease agreements.
REFA’s Perspective: This bill applies a veto power to renewables that does not exist for oil, gas, or coal – a clear double standard that threatens Wisconsin farmers’ right to choose how their land generates income. If you are already in a renewable lease or exploring one, local political winds could now override your decision entirely. Wisconsin farmers who support renewable energy opportunities need to engage their local officials and their state legislators now, before this bill advances further.
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Illinois court clears the path for farmers to lease land for solar.
Illinois Court Holds Counties Must Issue Solar Facility Siting Pe
Robert A. Middleton, Amy Antoniolli, Meera Gorjala, Duncan M. Weinstein • 3/16/2026
Illinois
What it is:
- An Illinois appellate court ruled unanimously that counties must grant solar permits when state standards are met, enforcing the 2023 Solar Amendments’ ‘shall be approved’ mandate
- Grundy County denied two solar farm permits using traditional zoning arguments; courts ordered the permits issued and confirmed mandamus as a valid remedy
Why it matters:
- Illinois farmers pursuing solar leases now have legal backing if a county tries to block a compliant project – ‘shall be approved’ means exactly that
- Counties retain discretion only over permitted conditions, not over whether to approve a qualifying solar or wind project at all
What’s next: Illinois counties facing pending solar or wind permit denials may now be compelled to approve compliant applications, potentially unlocking stalled lease opportunities for Illinois landowners.
REFA’s Perspective: This ruling is a real win for Illinois farmers who want to put their land to work generating solar income but have been blocked by county boards overstepping their authority. If you have a solar lease in the works and your county has been stonewalling a compliant project, this decision gives you and your developer meaningful legal leverage. REFA encourages Illinois members to share this ruling with their solar developers and legal counsel to evaluate whether it applies to their situation.
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PA court ruling could block agrivoltaic solar on agricultural land.
PA Commonwealth Court Holds That Solar ‘Farms’ Are Not Agriculture – NewsBreak
Helen Harris • 3/12/2026
Pennsylvania
What it is:
- Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court ruled that agrivoltaic solar installations – combining crops and solar panels on the same land – do not qualify as agricultural use under state law.
- Farmers pursuing solar on ag-zoned land must now navigate zoning regulations designed for non-agricultural uses, potentially blocking or delaying projects.
Why it matters:
- Pennsylvania farmers lose a key income diversification tool, as agrivoltaic projects may now face zoning denials or costly variances on their own farmland.
- The ruling could influence how other states classify solar farms on agricultural property, making this a national issue to watch.
What’s next: Pennsylvania farmers with existing or planned agrivoltaic projects should consult a land use attorney immediately to assess zoning compliance exposure under this ruling.
REFA’s Perspective: This ruling is a real setback for Pennsylvania farmers who see agrivoltaics as a smart way to keep farming while generating clean energy income – and it is exactly the kind of regulatory barrier that undermines landowner rights. REFA believes farmers should have full authority to deploy renewable energy on their own land without bureaucratic obstacles rooted in outdated zoning definitions. If you are a PA landowner with agrivoltaic plans, do not wait – get legal guidance now and connect with REFA so your voice is heard as this fight moves forward.
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A South Dakota county voted to block wind and solar on farmland.
South Dakota county looks to bar utility-scale wind, solar projects on agricultural land – Worldnews.com
System • 3/15/2026
South Dakota
What it is:
- A South Dakota county commission voted 3-2 to amend its comprehensive plan, barring utility-scale wind and solar projects from agricultural land.
- The change restricts rezoning that would allow farmers to host large-scale renewable energy projects on their own property.
Why it matters:
- Landowners in this county lose the ability to independently decide whether to lease agricultural land for utility-scale wind or solar – a direct hit to property rights and potential income.
- The narrow 3-2 vote signals a divided community, suggesting this decision may face future challenge or reversal.
What’s next: Affected landowners should track whether this zoning change faces legal challenges or revisitation as the county commission evolves.
REFA’s Perspective: When a county commission votes to take away a farmer’s right to choose renewable energy development on their own land, that is a property rights issue. A 3-2 vote tells us this fight is not over, and that landowner voices in this county carry real weight. REFA stands with farmers who believe the decision of what to do with their land belongs to them, not their county commission.
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Oklahoma landowners need the right questions before signing long-term energy leases.
Renewable Energy Boom in Oklahoma: What Landowners Need to Know Before Signing Wind or Solar Leases
Carli Davenport • 3/9/2026
Oklahoma
What it is:
- OSU agricultural economics professor Shannon Ferrell outlines the critical due diligence landowners must do before committing to 30-50 year wind or solar lease agreements in Oklahoma
- Ferrell highlights agrivoltaic opportunities and compares solar lease income to traditional crop returns, showing how renewables can dramatically improve farm economics
Why it matters:
- Long-term lease obligations around property taxes, equipment protection, payment verification, and land use restrictions can limit landowner control for decades if not negotiated carefully upfront
- Solar lease payments averaging $750 per acre can transform already-negative crop returns into net gains of $450-$900 per acre, while agrivoltaic options like grazing or shade-tolerant crops preserve partial agricultural use
What’s next: As Oklahoma’s renewable energy market accelerates, landowners who negotiate audit rights, land use flexibility, and clear payment terms now will be far better protected over the life of these long-term commitments.
REFA’s Perspective: Oklahoma landowners are sitting on real opportunity, but a 30-50 year lease is one of the biggest commitments you will ever make on your land, so the questions you ask before signing matter enormously. Know your land use rights, demand audit access to your payments, and do not assume solar means walking away from agriculture – grazing and agrivoltaic cropping can keep your operation active while lease income stabilizes your bottom line. REFA is here to help you negotiate from a position of strength, not desperation.
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Solar Development
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Kansas solar farm keeps its permit alive despite court injunction stalling construction.
Douglas County commissioners extend permit for planned solar farm north of Lawrence
Dong • 3/13/2026
Kansas
What it is:
- Douglas County commissioners voted 4-1 to extend the conditional use permit for the Kansas Sky Energy Center north of Lawrence by one year.
- A court injunction is currently blocking construction, and the permit would have lapsed next month without the extension.
Why it matters:
- Landowners hosting or pursuing solar projects can face legal challenges that freeze construction for extended periods, making permit extension mechanisms a critical lifeline.
- Divided community opposition – reflected in the contested approval process and court action – is a real risk farmers should anticipate when pursuing solar development.
What’s next: Resolution of the court injunction will determine whether construction on the Kansas Sky Energy Center can finally move forward within the extended permit window.
REFA’s Perspective: This case is a reminder that even after winning county approval, solar projects can get tied up in legal battles that put your lease income on hold – sometimes for years. Knowing that permit extensions exist, and that county boards can use them, is useful leverage when negotiating project timelines with developers. Make sure your lease agreements account for construction delays caused by third-party legal challenges so your rights and compensation expectations are protected no matter how long the process takes.
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Cornell data shows solar has not broadly harmed New York farmland overall.
Cornell study: Solar’s threat to NYS agriculture may be overstated – Olean Times Herald
By CAITLIN HAYES Cornell Chronicle • 3/10/2026
New York
What it is:
- Cornell study finds solar development has had minimal aggregate impact on New York’s total agricultural land to date
- However, individual farmers who sign solar leases are 3x more likely to exit agriculture than non-participating farmers
Why it matters:
- Solar leasing is not just passive income – it correlates strongly with farm exit, so New York landowners must weigh long-term implications before signing
- Many projects land on marginal land and some farmers use solar revenue to sustain or expand operations, showing outcomes vary widely by situation
What’s next: Researchers are urging New York policymakers to factor these farmer-exit dynamics into solar energy policy development.
REFA’s Perspective: This is the kind of real-world data farmers need in their back pocket when neighbors or county commissioners claim solar will end farming in your community. Solar lease revenue reinvested into operations is exactly the outcome REFA has always championed – renewables as a tool to strengthen the farm, not replace it. Share this study when the anti-solar voices get loud at your next township meeting.
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Transmission & Grid
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Grain Belt Express secures key grid connection despite losing $4.9 billion federal loan.
SPP makes agreement with Grain Belt Express developers
Jerry Bohnen • 3/12/2026
KansasMissouriIllinoisIndiana
What it is:
- Invenergy signed a technical interconnection agreement with the Southwest Power Pool to formally connect its 800-mile wind energy transmission line running from southwest Kansas through Missouri and Illinois to Indiana
- Despite the DOE terminating its $4.9 billion conditional loan, Invenergy still plans to begin construction in 2026 on the Kansas-Missouri segment
Why it matters:
- Kansas wind energy landowners could gain a major new market outlet as the line moves toward construction, potentially increasing the value of wind leases in the region
- An Illinois farmers’ organization challenged the project and lost in a 6-0 state Supreme Court ruling, signaling that legal opposition along the route has so far failed to slow development
What’s next: Invenergy must still arrange separate transmission service agreements beyond this technical interconnection deal before construction on the Kansas-Missouri section can fully advance.
REFA’s Perspective: Major transmission infrastructure like Grain Belt Express is what gives Kansas wind landowners access to broader electricity markets, making it directly relevant to the value of wind leases in the region. Farmers along the route should stay engaged and ensure any easement negotiations fully protect their property rights as construction planning moves forward. REFA also notes that while a farmers’ organization challenged this project, landowners need solid legal and expert guidance before taking positions on transmission projects that could affect their long-term energy income.
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Wind Development
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Eddy County clears path for farmers to host wind energy projects.
Flickertail clears hurdle
Nathan Price • 3/16/2026
North Dakota
What it is:
- Eddy County, ND approved zoning ordinance amendments expressly allowing wind energy facilities on agriculturally zoned land, reopening the permit process for the proposed 43,000-acre Flickertail Wind project.
- A compromise was reached requiring only a siting permit rather than a duplicative two-permit process, while adding landowner protections previously tied to conditional use permits.
Why it matters:
- Landowners in the project area can now move toward lease agreements as Flickertail re-applies for county permits – but two local townships still prohibit wind on agricultural land, blocking participation for those landowners.
- This case shows how outdated zoning language can quietly strip farmers of their right to lease land for wind energy, and how local advocacy and compromise can restore it.
What’s next: Flickertail must still secure permits from Grandfield and New Rockford Townships and the North Dakota Public Service Commission before construction can proceed.
REFA’s Perspective: This situation is a wake-up call for rural landowners across the country – zoning language written before the wind energy era can silently block your right to lease your own land. Eddy County got it right by finding a workable compromise that keeps landowner protections intact without piling on duplicative permitting burdens. If your county or township has similar outdated ordinances, now is the time to show up, speak up, and make sure local leaders know that farmers have a right to benefit from the resources on their land.
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Renewable Energy Farmers of America
800 Roosevelt Road, Building C – Suite 312, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
630.299.8615
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