Fossil fuel forces are quietly sabotaging solar energy in Ohio

In Knox County, Ohio, a shadowy coalition of fossil fuel interests, aided by a local newspaper, has turned residents against a proposed solar farm, sowing misinformation and division.

Miranda Green reports for Floodlight, Jennifer Smith Richards reports for ProPublica and Priyanjana Bengani reports for Tow Center for Digital Journalism.

In short:

• A so-called “grassroots” campaign, funded by fossil fuel executives, has fueled anti-solar sentiment through misinformation and local media manipulation.
• The local Mount Vernon News has been transformed into a mouthpiece for fossil fuel interests, publishing numerous anti-solar articles.
• This campaign has contributed to the defeat of pro-solar politicians and radicalized public opinion in a region already tied to the gas industry.

Key quote:

“People are so radicalized and they’re not thinking clearly.”

— Rich Piar, third-generation farmer

Why this matters:

With the local media on board, the Knox County misinformation campaign is driving a wedge through the community, pushing out pro-solar voices and reinforcing the grip of the gas industry. It's a reminder that the energy transition isn’t just about technology; it's about power, influence, and the stories people are told. Read more: Fractured: Distrustful of frackers, abandoned by regulators.