Reynolds Legislative Action Protects Neighborhood Rights and Voice of Community

COLUMBUS—State Senator Michele Reynolds (R-Canal Winchester) and State Representative Brian Stewart (R-Ashville) legislative actions successfully prevented Vanguard Renewables from moving forward with a project that would have taken advantage of residents in Madison County.

"The withdrawal of the proposed biodigester project reflects the strength of community advocacy and strategic legislative engagement," said Senator Reynolds. "I want to thank the Madison County Commissioners, Representative Brian Stewart, and Prosecutor Nick Atkins in pushing back against this project that did not serve our community's best interest. This is a complete victory for Madison County."

“We made it clear from the start that the voices of this community matter. We showed up—we listened at events, we heard the concerns directly, and we acted by introducing legislation to give Madison County the authority it deserves over decisions like this,” said Representative Stewart. “Vanguard’s decision to withdraw its biodigester plans is the right one, and it’s a direct result of a unified community standing up for itself and demanding a say in what happens here.”

Vanguard Renewables had applied for a permit to build a biodigester—a system that breaks down organic waste, such as food scraps and animal manure, by using bacteria in an oxygen-free environment to produce bio-gas and nutrient-rich fertilizer—in Madison County. The project would not have been subject to local zoning laws and they would not have been required to go before the power siting board for review.

Due to the hard work of Senator Reynolds and Representative Stewart, an amendment was originally included in Senate Bill 2 preventing the project from moving forward. Their actions forced Vanguard to return to negotiations with the local community, ultimately deciding not to move forward with the proposed project. 

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