Mack Knupp for Shelby County Commissioner

09/25/2026

For Landowners in Perry, Green, Orange, and Clinton Townships

IMPORTANT: TWO SEPARATE PROJECTS
AES Ohio has now provided notices regarding two separate projects associated with the Millcreek Substation expansion. Landowners should keep the two case numbers separate.

Project 1A – Millcreek to Customer 138kV Transmission Line
PUCO Case No. 26-0894-EL-BLN
According to the notice, Project 1A involves two permanent 138kV transmission lines connecting the proposed Millcreek Substation expansion to a customer substation. The project is approximately 0.30 miles and includes portions within existing road right-of-way, customer-owned property, and AES Ohio property.
This project is identified as the direct connection to the Amazon Web Services facility in Sidney.

Project 1B – Millcreek Substation Expansion
PUCO Case No. 26-0895-EL-BLN
Project 1B involves the proposed expansion of the existing Millcreek Substation on approximately 5 acres, along with relocating approximately five 138kV transmission lines to accommodate the expansion. The notice states that the associated transmission lines total approximately one mile and include approximately 75 feet of right-of-way.

WHAT SHOULD LANDOWNERS BE ASKING?
Landowners should ask for clear answers regarding the documented public need and benefit of these projects, including:
• What is the documented public need for these projects?
• What is the public benefit, beyond serving a specific customer or facility?
• Who is paying for the construction and associated infrastructure?
• Will any portion of these projects or their associated costs be recovered through electric rates paid by AES Ohio ratepayers?
• What assurances can AES Ohio and the OPSB provide that existing residential and agricultural ratepayers will not bear costs associated with infrastructure primarily serving a specific customer?

IMPORTANT: THE PROJECT WEBSITE MAP APPEARS TO BE WRONG
The website link provided in the AES Ohio notices currently appears to direct landowners to a map associated with another project rather than the Millcreek 1A/1B projects. AES Ohio has been notified of this issue, but the map has not yet been corrected.
Until that is fixed, please see the picture in this post for further details.

Notice: Volkert is named as the Surveying/Land Agent Company
AES Ohio has contracted Volkert, Inc. to perform field surveying and real-estate-related work associated with this project.

The August 31 notice states that Volkert has been engaged to perform field surveying and may contact landowners regarding:
• Surveying
• Property access
• Potential easements
• Easement documentation

Landowners should be aware that survey crews or representatives may arrive at your property without a separate appointment being scheduled. Ask for identification and documentation showing who they represent and what work they are there to perform.
See the attached picture for a Volkert Contact

PUBLIC COMMENT & OPSB PROCESS
Project 1A: PUCO Case 26-0894-EL-BLN
Project 1B: PUCO Case 26-0895-EL-BLN

The AES Ohio notices state that interested persons may file comments and/or motions to intervene with the Ohio Power Siting Board. The notices indicate that interested persons may file comments within 10 days of publication of the public notice, as provided under the applicable Ohio Administrative Code provisions.
Landowners should review the actual OPSB filings and case docket for the current status and deadlines.

STAY INFORMED & STAY CONNECTED
This is another example of why it is important for landowners in Perry, Green, Orange, and Clinton Townships to communicate with one another.

If you receive a notice, surveying request, easement document, or visit from a representative, share the information with your neighbors.

There are still many questions that deserve clear answers regarding need, public benefit, project costs, ratepayer impacts, property rights, easements, and the relationship between these transmission projects and the proposed customer facility.

Ask questions. Get the information in writing. Know what you are being asked to sign before making any decisions concerning your property.

09/24/2026

09/04/2026

Good Evening Shelby County,

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Joint Informational meeting with the Shelby County Farm Bureau and the Commissioners, featuring a presentation from Dale Arnold and a Q/A session with the Shelby County Commissioner’s, State Senator Susan Manchester, and State Rep. Tim Barhorst.

We appreciate everyone who took the time to attend, ask questions, share concerns, and learn more about the proposed Grid Growth ventures transmission project. A special thank you to Dale Arnold for coming to Shelby County and sharing his knowledge and experience in the area of energy development.

ACTION ITEMS FOR LANDOWNERS

Step 1 – Talk with your neighbors, Communication and sticking together will be critical. Talk, share information, and make your concerns known to Grid Growth.

Step 2 – Attend the Open House on October 1st, make your voice heard and ask Grid Growth the hard questions directly. Apparently a good time to schedule this meeting is when every combine in Shelby County is running, but please take the time to come and make your voice heard.

Step 3 – Submit your comments to Grid Growth. Make sure your concerns, questions, and objections are submitted directly to Grid Growth before the October 15th deadline. Your voice matters, your property matters, and our rural Shelby County Lifestyle matters.

Step 4 – Go to dis.puc.state.oh.us Search Case 26-0809-EL-BTX. The Grid Growth project is in the pre-application phase and public comment is being taken. You can do this online by clicking the file public comment or you can mail to PUCO, make sure to reference that case number.

Step 5 – Go to https://www.gridgrowthventures.com/WesternOhio Review the information and maps there. Keep me posted if you are hearing anything out of Grid Growth or CLS.

As always let me know if you have any questions. Call me 937-726-8247

08/28/2026

State Rep Tim Barhorst’s statement of opposition to proposed Grid Growth Venture transmission project: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sebOkPJo9llwGZ1mldh_1-i-e5TL9ThD/view

08/27/2026

With the recent rainfall, we understand that some homes may have been impacted by flooding. To assist with information collection and response efforts, we ask that you complete this form if your home or property was affected. The information provided will help us maintain situational awareness, iden...

08/26/2026

8-25-26
Shelby County Commissioner
Press Release

08/26/2026

Please see the attached press release issued yesterday. We will keep doing our research and gathering information we encourage you to continue to reach out with your thoughts and concerns. Mack

08/25/2026

*****HOT OFF THE PRESS*****

Good Evening Shelby County,

Sorry for the late post as I have been on the road most of the day today. That being said I have not had much time to digest the attached information, but I want to get it to as many of you as I can. This morning we received updated information from Grid Growth as well as the map we have been requesting since we first heard about the project (even though it is not very detailed). Also, tonight the interactive online map has went live at www.gridgrowthventures.com/WesternOhio This is more detailed and helpful.

Please reach out and continue to send your comments to Grid Growth.

I will have more to add tomorrow when I have more time to read through the material. Please put the October 1st open house on your calendars. As always, please continue to reach out with comments questions and concerns.