A retired gas industry executive, a shadowy “grassroots” group and a controversial media company are spreading misinformation while turning residents against a proposed solar farm — and each other.

Reporting Highlights

Intense Debate Over Solar: A large solar farm proposed in Knox County, Ohio, has drawn about 4,000 public comments — more than any other solar project in the state.
Newspaper Misinformation: After the local paper was sold to Metric Media, part of a “pink slime” network, the Mount Vernon News published one-sided coverage and dubious claims about solar power.
Fossil Fuel Influence: Opposition to solar was stoked by a group whose major donor — a retired gas-industry executive — also leads a pro-gas dark-money organization.

These highlights were written by the reporters and editors who worked on this story.

  • BakerBagel
    4·
    2 days ago

    I’m gonna tell you right now it is more than just one county. Every rural county in Ohio has wind turbines on the ballot every election cycle, with the farmers opposed and the town/village residents in favor. Part of that started off because (in my county) the electricity was mostly going to go to Michigan rather than lowering rates here in NW Ohio. But that quickly evolved into “wind turbines cause brain cancer”