MOUNT GILEAD — A labor union based in Mansfield has asked the Ohio Power Siting Board to halt construction at the Blossom Solar Project, citing “serious safety, environmental and public health concerns.”
Jeff Sellers, business manager for Laborers Local 1216, sent the state agency the letter on Monday evening, describing concerns the union said it has observed during the past six weeks at the site in northern Morrow County.
“Despite repeated efforts to address these issues with QCells — the contractor responsible for construction — we have received no response,” Sellers said in his letter.
“Our attempts to contact Sol Systems, the project owner, have similarly gone unanswered. This lack of engagement has left our concerns unresolved and risks unmitigated,” Sellers wrote.
The Ohio Power Siting Board in May 2023 approved construction of the 144-megawatt, solar-powered electric generating facility, a projected estimated at $100 million.
Voice mail was left Tuesday morning seeking comment from the state regulatory agency. No response was received by the time this story was published.
Laborers Local 1216 and IBEW Local 688, both based in Mansfield, and Local 18 of the International Union of Operating Engineers have demonstrated at the site since construction began, claiming local union workers have not been given the opportunity to fill what they believe are around 350 construction jobs.
In his letter Tuesday to the Ohio Power Siting Board, Sellers said union workers have alleged the following violations and hazards:
— Public safety failures: “Deliveries have caused property damage to neighboring properties and clipped privately owned inflatables. There is no signage warning the public of active construction hazards, including work near overhead power lines.”
— Unsafe construction practices: “Materials are being dumped off trucks in an uncontrolled manner, endangering workers. A lack of proper drainage has led to a large ponding of water, which vehicles are driving through to access employee parking areas — without any visible life-save equipment such as life jackets or life rings.”
— Additional site access concerns: “During the latest rain event on Wednesday, August 13, many employees were unable to access the designated parking area due to significant water ponding caused by inadequate drainage. Instead, it appears that a 50-foot pipeline easement — believed to be owned by TC Energy — was used as an alternative access route. We respectfully ask whether this easement is an approved construction entrance and whether Sol Systems is aware of its use for this purpose.”
— Environmental mismanagement: “Erosion and sediment controls appear to be absent or ineffective, resulting in discolored water runoff (“chocolate water”) escaping the project boundary. Dust control measures are nonexistent and a lack of sweeping operations has left mud and debris accumulating on public roads. When sweeping does occur, no water is used to control airborne particles, creating an additional health risk.”
Public health risks: “County roads have sustained visible damage. Mud and rock left on County Road 31 pose a serious hazard to the public, particularly cyclists and pedestrians. The accumulation of debris and runoff may also contribute to broader health and safety concerns for nearby residents.”
Sellers’ letter indicated copies were also sent to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration; U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service; Ohio EPA; Morrow County Soil & Water Conservation District; Morrow County Board of Commissioners; and the Morrow County Engineer’s Office.
A spokesman for Sol Systems told Richland Source via email the company was aware of the letter and “takes any concerns about safety and community impact seriously.”
“Public safety is a core priority. Construction is being conducted under an approved Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP), with erosion controls, fencing, signage, and traffic management plans in place,” said Mark Walter, vice president of external affairs for Sol Systems.
“We have also taken steps to establish a clearly designated protest area near the site entrance to help ensure peaceful demonstrations can occur without interfering with active construction or putting anyone at risk, including the protestors themselves,” he said.
“We respect the role of organized labor and remain open to transparent, good-faith dialogue. We also remain focused on delivering a safe, high-quality project that benefits the local economy and advances Ohio’s clean energy leadership,” Walter said.
He said the project is being developed in full compliance with all applicable laws, safety protocols and permitting requirements.
“Our construction partner, Qcells, is committed to hiring at least 70 percent of the workforce from within the state of Ohio. As part of our broader commitment to Morrow County, Sol Systems is contributing more than $1.5 million to local community organizations and expects to generate $1.2 million annually in local tax revenue—benefits that will support schools, infrastructure, and public services for years to come,” Walter said.
Speaking from the construction site Tuesday afternoon, Sellers said union members saw two vehicles with four individuals at the site on Tuesday morning that could be representatives from the OPSB.
“They had PUCO on their safety vests,” he said in reference to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.
Sellers said officials with MCSWD were at the site related to the heavy-rain event last week and said they would file a report with the OPSB and the Ohio EPA. He said MCSWD officials were back at the site Tuesday.
The union also emailed photos and video of a contractor’s truck stuck in the mud on Tuesday apparently trying to get into the site. The video showed another pickup truck towing the stuck truck from the mud, which the union dubbed “Blossom Lake.”
Sellers said difficulties the contractor was having constructing an employee parking lot at the site would not be a problem if the work was being done by “qualified, union workers.”
“They have been working on that parking lot for a month. We would have had it done in three days. We have done it in the past,” Sellers said. “They have brought in like three truckloads of gravel.”
He said the Sol Systems and QCells have continued to not respond to union concerns.
“We have been ignored and disrespected and we are not going to allow that to continue without calling them out on it,” Sellers said.
He said the company has refused to work with local unions.
“For the last three years, the trade unions in this area have advocated earnestly for these jobs and for the opportunity for our members to be a part of this,” he has said.
“I know that the IBEW and other local community supporters testified on behalf of Blossom Solar to get this project permitted and approved with the hopes that we would have the opportunity to work out here,” Sellers said at the end of July.
“But unfortunately, those hopes and dreams have been dismantled by Sol Systems and Qcells because we’re not going to be able to be on this project. It’s very unfortunate the ones that helped bring this project to life are the ones now being left behind,” Sellers said.
On July 29, Walter had issued an emailed statement saying the company respects union labor.
“Sol Systems is committed to ensuring that the Blossom Solar Project delivers long-term economic and environmental benefits to Morrow County. We are proud to be working alongside our construction partner Qcells, who has committed to hiring at least 70 percent of the project’s workforce from within Ohio and paying all workers prevailing wage in full compliance with state law,” Walter said.
“We also respect the role of organized labor and have encouraged ongoing conversations between Qcells and local union representatives regarding defined scopes of electrical work. Those discussions are active and progressing,” he said.
When asked, Walter said he didn’t know which IBEW local was in discussions with Qcells.
“Those ongoing discussions are between Qcells and the subcontractors that are hiring union laborers,” he said.
In response to Walter’s comments about “ongoing conversations” with IBEW, local leader Brian McPeek said he received one email asking for a list of contractors qualified to make terminations and connections at the end of the project.
“This portion of the work requires a high degree of skill. I sent them a list of my contractors that do that kind of work. I send 10 emails a day with a list of contractors … that does not qualify coming to the table,” McPeek said.
“They have over and over implied that by asking me for a list of contractors they are working with us. That is not the case,” he said.
