Council approves CEP Renewables deal to build solar arrays on two closed landfills

Mansfield City Council voted 8–0 to approve a development agreement with CEP Renewables to develop solar generation on two closed landfill sites near the airport and county landfill property.

Kurt Princik of CEP Renewables said the Richland County landfill can accommodate roughly 25 megawatts and the Mansfield landfill about 10 megawatts (35 MW total), though final sizing depends on offtakers and interconnection details. He said the developer will pay about $9,000 per megawatt annually in local taxes (example cited: 20 MW ≈ $180,000/year) and will post decommissioning bonds required by Ohio EPA. “If at the end of 25 years there is now a higher and better use for this landfill, as a developer we’re going to have a bond to decommission that site,” Princik said.

Princik described multiple local benefits: stable taxable revenue to support local budgets, reduced landfill maintenance costs for the solid‑waste authority (the developer will take over post‑closure care, operations and maintenance), and potential resiliency benefits for the distribution grid. He said construction will proceed only after securing an offtaker or power purchase agreement (PPA); with an assigned PPA the site could be built in about 12 months.

Council members asked about timelines, battery storage options and long‑term liability; Princik said the original plan is 100% solar but battery storage could be added if the offtaker required it. The development agreement sets the stage for lease negotiations and future site permits but does not obligate the city to provide funding; the developer will assume cleanup and decommissioning responsibilities described in the agreement.

The ordinance (bill 26‑104) passed unanimously, 8–0. Council and staff said they expect continued coordination on offtaker discussions and permitting.