About OPSB

The Ohio Power Siting Board (Board or OPSB) was created on November 15, 1981, by amended Substitute House Bill 694 as a separate entity within the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. The authority of the Board is outlined in Ohio Revised Code (ORC) Chapter 4906.

The Board is authorized to issue certificates of environmental compatibility and public need for the construction, operation, and maintenance of major utility facilities as defined in ORC Section 4906.01. Included within this definition are electric generating plants and associated facilities designed for or capable of operation at fifty megawatts (MW) or more, electric transmission lines and associated facilities of a design capacity greater than or equal to 125 kilovolts (kV), and gas and natural gas transmission lines and associated facilities designed for, or capable of, transporting gas or natural gas at pressures in excess of 125 pounds per square inch. In addition, per ORC Section 4906.20, the Board has jurisdiction for economically significant wind farms, defined as wind turbines and associated facilities with a single interconnection to the electrical grid and designed for, or capable of, operation at an aggregate capacity of five or more megawatts but less than fifty megawatts.

Who makes up the Ohio Power Siting Board?

Membership of the Board is specified in ORC Section 4906.02(A).  The Board is comprised of 11 Members, seven who vote and four who are non-voting members.  The members include: 

• Chairman of the Public Utilities Comission who serves as Chairman of the Board.
• Director of the Environmental Protection Agency;
• Director of the Department of Agriculture; 
• Director of the Department of Development; 
• Director of the Department of Health; 
• Director of the Department of Natural Resources; 
• Public Member.

The public member, who must be a licensed engineer, is appointed by the Governor from a list of nominees provided by the Ohio Consumers' Counsel.

The four non-voting members are legislators -- two from the Ohio House of Representatives and two from the Ohio Senate.

How does the OPSB make its decision?

According to law, the OPSB must find and determine eight criteria including:

• The need for the facility (excluding a major generating facility);
• The probable environmental impact of the proposed facility;
• The facility represents the minimum adverse environmental impact, considering available technology and the nature and economics of alternatives;
• In the case of electric transmission lines, that the facility is consistent with regional plans for expansion of the electric power grid of the electric systems serving Ohio and interconnected systems and that the facility will serve the interests of electric system economy and reliability;
• The facility will comply with all air and water pollution control and solid waste disposal laws and regulations;
• The facility will serve the public interest, convenience, and necessity;
• The facility's impact on the continued agricultural viability of any land in an existing agricultural district; and
• The facility incorporates maximum feasible water conservation practices as determined by the Board, considering available technology and the nature and economics of various alternatives.

What input do I have in the process?

Before filing an application to build a new facility, the company is required to hold a public informational meeting. The purpose of this meeting is to let those affected know about its plans to file an application with the OPSB. The meeting is also used to gather public input and hear the public's concerns, which the company considers in developing its application.

After the company submits its application, the OPSB staff scrutinizes the plan, makes a formal request for comments from other state and federal agencies and the OPSB process provides for stakeholder input, and then makes a recommendation to the full Board.

After the OPSB staff makes its recommendation, formal public hearings are held to obtain input from affected citizens, interested groups, and governmental entities.

Note: After a case has been officially filed with the Board, Board members are, by law, generally precluded from discussing the substance of the case with any party until the Board issues its decision. Interested persons are encouraged to submit written comments to the Docketing Division, 180 E. Broad Street, 10th floor, Columbus, OH 43215, and to attend the scheduled public hearing. Submissions should include the case number as discussed below.

What is in the application?

The application must describe both the need  for the facility (excluding a major generating facility) and its impact and effects on the surrounding area. The application must also contain information on alternative sites. While one of the sites is designated "preferred" by the company, the "preferred" designation does not indicate any favor or prior approval of the Board.

How can I see a copy of the application?

When the application is determined to be complete, legal notices are published in local newspapers in those areas impacted by the proposed facility. The legal notice must include a listing of area libraries where a copy of the application may be viewed. I'd like to find out more about the OPSB or a specific application.

Navigate this site to learn about the OPSB members, see the complete power siting process, or to check details of a specific application. Each application is assigned a case number and all legal filings regarding the case can be accessed using that case number. Call 1-866-270-OPSB to request a specific case’s number.

The OPSB can be reached at:

Phone:
(866) 270-OPSB (6772).

Mailing Address:
The Ohio Power Siting Board
180 East Broad Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215