Ohio Power Siting Board Presentation Listed on New Albany Council Agenda
An Ohio Power Siting Board presentation by Executive Director Michael Williams is listed for the Nov. 3 council meeting at Village Hall.
An Ohio Power Siting Board presentation by Executive Director Michael Williams is listed on the New Albany council meeting agenda for Tuesday, Nov. 3, at Village Hall, 99 W. Main St. The city posted the agenda on Monday, Oct. 26, according to municipal records.
New Albany Village Hall at 99 W. Main St., where the Ohio Power Siting Board executive director is scheduled to address City Council on Nov. 3, 2026.
Credit: Google Street View · © 2026 Google · Google Street View panorama JAz3TQV1MvogC7zZFzaL2w, captured September 2024
Statutory Authority Over Utility Corridors
Williams' scheduled appearance comes amid ongoing discussions over state preemption of local zoning for high-voltage energy projects in central Ohio. The City of New Albany published an informational notice on May 22 regarding transmission line construction in Franklin County. Under Ohio law, local municipalities have very limited authority over transmission line routing and pole placement decisions once a project falls under OPSB jurisdiction.
The City of New Albany stated that it noted community concerns regarding the appearance and placement of the new transmission poles associated with the AEP Souder Transmission Line Project. The Souder Transmission Line Project received OPSB approval in October 2025. AEP Ohio representatives are conducting utility grid upgrades through the construction of a new substation and transmission line project in Franklin County. The existing electrical network in this area has reached capacity, and the new transmission line and substation will support reliable electrical service for residential and commercial customers while supporting continued economic development in the area.
The infrastructure project included constructing just over one mile of new 138-kilovolt transmission line. According to municipal project documents, the work also encompassed building the new Souder Substation off Souder Road and establishing an approximate 100-foot right-of-way corridor to support utility operations. Although municipal staff shared public feedback with utility representatives throughout the process, city officials emphasized that final decisions rest with state regulators and the utility.
Data Center Growth and Gas Plant Proposals
In New Albany's International Business Park, environmental advocates spoke out against a proposed fourth natural gas plant that could help power a Meta AI data center. The Ohio Power Siting Board gathered public input as it reviews the proposal. Advocates pointed out that three other natural gas power plants already have been approved for the site and would consume more than 650 megawatts combined.
Opponents argued that adding another gas plant across the 740-acre project site would increase pollution while relying heavily on agricultural resources. Becker warned that the increased pollution would include greenhouse gas pollution, particulate matter, nitrous oxide, and volatile organic chemicals. Becker also stated that Ohio ranks as the second state for gas plant buildout built specifically for a data center building.
Ahead of the upcoming council presentation, state regulators took steps to gather local perspectives. Records from the proceeding show a second public hearing scheduled for Oct. 22. Matt Butler with the Ohio Utilities Commission said the board looks at all types of utility projects, including power plants, solar farms, wind farms, natural gas pipelines, and electric transmission lines, under a consistent review standard. Butler noted that the next step in the state's evaluation is for the board to conduct an adjudicatory hearing in Columbus.
Williams’ scheduled address at Village Hall gives council members and local residents a direct forum with the state official overseeing those regulatory determinations as central Ohio manages surging power demands.
How we know this
The sources and records behind this story, with the facts they support.
City Council · 2026-11-03 · agenda
Supporting evidence (5)
An Ohio Power Siting Board presentation by Executive Director Michael Williams is listed on the New Albany council meeting agenda for Tuesday, Nov. 3, at Village Hall, 99 W. Main St.
Read supporting passage
Ohio Power Siting Board Presentation – Michael Williams, executive director
An Ohio Power Siting Board presentation by Executive Director Michael Williams is listed on the New Albany council meeting agenda for Tuesday, Nov. 3, at Village Hall, 99 W. Main St.
Read supporting passage
COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA
An Ohio Power Siting Board presentation by Executive Director Michael Williams is listed on the New Albany council meeting agenda for Tuesday, Nov. 3, at Village Hall, 99 W. Main St.
Read supporting passage
Tuesday, November 3, 2026 6:30 pm
An Ohio Power Siting Board presentation by Executive Director Michael Williams is listed on the New Albany council meeting agenda for Tuesday, Nov. 3, at Village Hall, 99 W. Main St.
Read supporting passage
Village Hall, 99 W. Main Street, New Albany, Ohio 43054
The city posted the agenda on Monday, Oct. 26, according to municipal records.
Read supporting passage
Posted=2026-10-26, Status=Agenda posted}
https://newalbanyohio.org/news/2026/05/aep-souder-transmission-line-project/
Supporting evidence (9)
Under Ohio law, local municipalities have very limited authority over transmission line routing and pole placement decisions once a project falls under OPSB jurisdiction.
The City of New Albany stated that it noted community concerns regarding the appearance and placement of the new transmission poles associated with the AEP Souder Transmission Line Project.
Read supporting passage
The City of New Albany understands and appreciates the concerns residents have shared regarding the appearance and placement of the new transmission poles associated with the AEP Souder Transmission Line Project.
The Souder Transmission Line Project received OPSB approval in October 2025.
AEP Ohio representatives are conducting utility grid upgrades through the construction of a new substation and transmission line project in Franklin County.
Read supporting passage
AEP Ohio representatives are upgrading the electric power grid in the New Albany area through the construction of a new substation and transmission line project in Franklin County.
The existing electrical network in this area has reached capacity, and the new transmission line and substation will support reliable electrical service for residential and commercial customers while supporting continued economic development in the area.
Read supporting passage
The existing electrical network in this area has reached capacity. The new transmission line and substation will provide an additional power source to help ensure reliable electric service for residential and commercial customers while supporting continued economic development in the area.
The infrastructure project included constructing just over one mile of new 138-kilovolt transmission line.
Read supporting passage
Construction of just over one mile of new 138-kilovolt (kV) transmission line
According to municipal project documents, the work also encompassed building the new Souder Substation off Souder Road and establishing an approximate 100-foot right-of-way corridor to support utility operations.
Read supporting passage
Construction of the new Souder Substation off Souder Road in New Albany
According to municipal project documents, the work also encompassed building the new Souder Substation off Souder Road and establishing an approximate 100-foot right-of-way corridor to support utility operations.
Read supporting passage
Development of an approximate 100-foot right-of-way corridor for the transmission line
Although municipal staff shared public feedback with utility representatives throughout the process, city officials emphasized that final decisions rest with state regulators and the utility.
Read supporting passage
Although the City does not control the final placement of the poles, City staff did communicate with AEP representatives throughout the process and shared community feedback and concerns when possible. However, final decisions are made by AEP and the OPSB.
Supporting evidence (9)
In New Albany's International Business Park, environmental advocates spoke out against a proposed fourth natural gas plant that could help power a Meta AI data center.
Read supporting passage
Environmental advocates are speaking out against a proposed fourth natural gas plant that could help power a Meta AI data center in New Albany’s International Business Park.
The Ohio Power Siting Board gathered public input as it reviews the proposal.
Read supporting passage
The Ohio Power Siting Board heard community feedback as it reviews the proposal.
Advocates pointed out that three other natural gas power plants already have been approved for the site and would consume more than 650 megawatts combined.
Read supporting passage
Advocates say three other natural gas power plants already have been approved for the site and would consume more than 650 megawatts combined.
Opponents argued that adding another gas plant across the 740-acre project site would increase pollution while relying heavily on agricultural resources.
Read supporting passage
The project site spans 740 acres in New Albany’s International Business Park. Opponents say adding a fourth natural gas plant would increase pollution and rely heavily on agricultural resources.
Becker warned that the increased pollution would include greenhouse gas pollution, particulate matter, nitrous oxide, and volatile organic chemicals.
Read supporting passage
Opponents say adding a fourth natural gas plant would increase pollution and rely heavily on agricultural resources. “Both greenhouse gas pollution, particulate matter, nitrous oxide, you know, all kinds of volatile organic chemicals,” Becker said.
Becker also stated that Ohio ranks as the second state for gas plant buildout built specifically for a data center building.
Read supporting passage
“Ohio's the No. 5 state for data center buildout. And it's the number two state for gas plant build out of a power like specifically for a data center building, a major power plant,” Becker said.
Records from the proceeding show a second public hearing scheduled for Oct. 22.
Read supporting passage
A second public hearing is scheduled for Oct. 22.
Matt Butler with the Ohio Utilities Commission said the board looks at all types of utility projects, including power plants, solar farms, wind farms, natural gas pipelines, and electric transmission lines, under a consistent review standard.
Read supporting passage
Matt Butler with the Ohio Utilities Commission said public engagement is an important part of the board’s review process for utility projects. “Review process really hasn't changed. Here at the board, we look at all types of utility projects. That includes power plants like this, but also solar farms, wind farms, natural gas pipelines, electric transmission lines. The process is essentially the same for the review of each type of project,” Butler said.
Butler noted that the next step in the state's evaluation is for the board to conduct an adjudicatory hearing in Columbus.
Read supporting passage
Butler said the next step is for the board to conduct an adjudicatory hearing at its downtown Columbus location.