Vienna Township Trustees are planning to discuss the potential banning of commercial solar farms in the township.

Township Trustee, Phil Pegg tells 21 News that while no one has proposed purchasing land for a solar farm in the township at this time, the township is trying to "get ahead of the curve" and follow in the footsteps of various townships in Columbiana County that recently banned solar farms.

Pegg tells us there are multiple reasons he would be in support of this ban with one of the biggest being the Youngstown Air Reserve Station (YARS) being located in the township.

Pegg says solar panels are very reflective and in turn could potentially cause vision difficulties for pilots.

Additionally, Pegg tells us a solar farm would take up a lot of space in the township and mentioned a "lack of transparency" from solar companies.

Pegg explained that when solar companies come into a township, they don't actually purchase the land. They just lease it for 30 years.

He further explained that the lifespan for a solar panel usually ranges between 20 to 30 years and says he questions who will be responsible for these panels once that 30 years is up.

"This is not just specific to [Vienna], it's state and nationwide," Pegg said.

Trustees will be meeting to discuss the potential ban on Monday, April 24 at 6:00 p.m. If enacted, this ban would not effect residents who own solar panels and will just be for commercial solar farms.

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