Residents came to meet our team, ask hard questions and tell us what matters to them. Here is what we shared, what we stand behind, and how the conversation continues.
On Thursday, September 10, Smartland Energy hosted a Community Information Session in Upper Sandusky on the proposed Midway Energy & Technology District. Many residents came with real worries about their homes, their families and the town they love. Others came with hope for new jobs and investment. We are grateful to everyone who gave up their evening to be there, and to everyone who watched online as well.
Time with our subject matter experts
For the hour before the presentation, our subject matter experts in engineering, finance, legal and workforce hosted information stations around the hall. Each table had printed flyers, explainer videos playing on a screen and trifold boards. Residents moved from station to station at their own pace, watching the videos, reading the materials and talking directly with the people behind each part of the project.
The presentation and open Q&A
Our CEO, Vadim Kleyner, then walked through the proposal and opened the floor. Residents asked about water, noise, air quality, property values and what happens if things don't go as planned. Some shared what living near the site would mean for their own families. Those are personal concerns, and we heard every one of them.
What we shared
- WaterA closed-loop, air-cooled design developed with Commonwealth Associates. The same coolant circulates in a sealed circuit and sheds heat into the air through radiators. A limited adiabatic assist, which uses a small amount of water to pre-cool the air, is reserved for the hottest days. That keeps water use to a fraction of what conventional evaporative cooling towers consume.
- SoundSilencers on exhaust stacks, fans slowed at night, equipment positioned and screened away from homes, and an independent review of all sound data. If modeling shows the site would exceed the City's limits, we redesign it.
- Air qualityNatural gas fuel, emissions controls that convert nitrogen oxides into nitrogen and water, and emission limits set through Ohio EPA permitting.
- PowerThe plant would produce its own electricity on site and would not draw from the existing grid.
- Tax revenueThe project would bring significant new local tax revenue, with the largest share going to Upper Sandusky Exempted Village Schools. We are not seeking a tax abatement.
- Proactive investmentsWe also proposed helping expand the City's water treatment plant, a property value protection agreement for nearby homeowners, and a Generations Fund: an independently managed community fund that would invest in Upper Sandusky's families and its future.
Responsible regulation, not a ban
We said plainly that evening that Upper Sandusky should set firm, enforceable rules for any project like this one, and Smartland should have to meet every one of them. We stood (and will continue to stand) behind limits on noise and water use, and a requirement that power be produced on site rather than drawn from the grid.
At the time of the session, we had not seen any draft regulations from the City. But we were already calling for responsible regulation, because it is how a community protects itself and holds a developer to its word.
“The teeth belong in the permits and ordinances. Smartland is a willing partner to ensure they are enforceable.”Terrence O'Donnell, energy counsel to Smartland Energy
Rules can be written for Upper Sandusky, debated in public hearings and strengthened over time. A permanent ban written into the City Charter cannot. A ban also opens the door for a city to rule out anything, at any time, and shut out whatever good a project could bring before anyone has weighed it. Regulation does the harder, fairer work: it scrutinizes each proposal and holds it to rules that make sure the benefits clearly outweigh the risks. Residents will decide on the proposed charter amendment on November 3.
Community Conversation
- When
- Thursday, October 15
3:30 to 7:30 PM - Where
- Board Room, Upper Sandusky Community Library
301 N. Sandusky Ave., Upper Sandusky, OH 43351
We're making time for more conversation.Following our Community Information Session, we know there is more to discuss about the proposed Midway Energy & Technology District. Our team will be available from 3:30 to 7:30 PM to answer questions, hear concerns and have open conversations about the proposed project.
Everyone is welcome. Stop by anytime. Informational materials and videos will also be available throughout the event so you can explore the information at your own pace.
Representing an organization or business in Wyandot County? You can reserve a dedicated 20-minute conversation with our team, with time slots beginning at 3:40 PM. Bring questions, concerns or specific topics you'd like to discuss. At least three representatives from your organization must attend.
Questions? Email uppersandusky@smartland.com
All project information is preliminary and subject to further engineering, permitting, regulatory review and final project decisions.