Only one of the two structures — the sewage disposal plant — planned for Wellsville has been completed. (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt)

EAST LIVERPOOL — Some local communities such as East Liverpool and Wellsville — opting to save on power bills — are still waiting for the completion of solar projects and the savings they were told to expect.

Scout Solar was contracted to erect three solar structures in Wellsville and six in East Liverpool. But only one of the structures has been completed, which is located at the Wellsville Sewage Disposal Plant.

A project which did not involve solar panels — the demolition of Jim Kenny Center in Wellsville — has been completed.

The two solar structures which were to be built at the Wellsville Village Hall and at one of the pump stations have not been started yet. Wellsville officials have no clue when the work will begin.

Wellsville Fiscal Officer Hoi Wah indicated that on the completed structure the village has seen a savings of $7,290.55 spread over a seven-month period between September 2024 and March 2025.

In East Liverpool, Scout Solar was supposed to build a structure at the water plant. It was started but additional work has not been done for months. The company backed out at sewage plant because core samples revealed that it had been a landfill.

A structure was supposed to be built for the water department at the Haywood Pump Station. But although the company proposed that structure it later determined the location was not a large enough site.

The amphitheater structure was supposed to be built downtown in the parking lot of the Sixth Street Deli. But that area is a historical district and a structure there would not be acceptable.

The company was supposed to redo the Broadway Wharf but that went by the wayside. East Liverpool Mayor Bobby Smith said the company wanted the structure to be like a large billboard with “Scout Solar” on it in big letters instead of “East Liverpool.” That did not sit well with him. Smith said when he expressed displeasure over the signage, Scout Solar backed out of the project.

Work was done on the structure at the Laura Avenue Water Pump. However, according to Smith, since it has not been turned on he is assuming it is not completed.

According to Smith, it will be up to attorneys to determine if a breach of contract occurred by the company backing out of the projects included in the contract.

“Solar panels don’t mix with a historic district and that is not what we need in the middle of town,” Smith said

Smith said company representatives went behind the city’s back and approached the community center about putting a structure across from it on the hill leading up to the school. Council approved an ordinance for that which was vetoed by Smith — his reasoning was because the city would have to lease the property for free and it is located in a residential neighborhood. Therefore, it would require maintenance — such as cutting grass around equipment and maintaining insurance — on property it does not own.

Scout Solar also purchased the former St. Aloysius School building at 335 W. Fifth St., in East Liverpool with the intent to renovate that for use as a corporate office and lodging for crews in town to work on the solar projects. Scout Solar as of April 25 has listed the building for sale at $499,900. It was purchased for $305,000.

According to Smith, there was no transition between the former administration which signed the contracts with Scout Solar and the current administration which doesn’t know much about the solar industry. That has left the questioning of who to listen to when it comes to obtaining accurate information up in the air.

Smith said that the 25-year contract with Scout Solar is one-sixteenth of an inch thick and is lacking clarity on many items — the only certainty would be rates raising 3 percent yearly.

He also noted that even though the council voted for the contract with a seven-to-zero vote in favor, if he had been in office at the time he would have vetoed that ordinance.

As far as current expenses to the city, Smith was informed that the city is getting billed by AEP (American Electric Power). When he called the power company to ask about the bills, he was told it was the customer’s responsibility to pay — and the city is the customer.

The city has received a bill for $3,500 already and was told by AEP, according to Smith, they would be sending another one for $60,000 and possibly other bills.

Smith said what AEP is telling him contradicts what Scout Solar told him. AEP told the mayor the customer (the city) is responsible for any upgrades needed to accept the solar energy grid. He noted that the solar company is supposed to pay those bills.

The city, which is struggling financially, is trying to get Scout Solar to pay the bills

“If I had to believe somebody at this point, either AEP or Scout Solar, I would believe AEP,” Smith said. “They aren’t going anywhere.”

Smith has concerns over the solar structure at the water plant being completed, because he has been told Scout Solar has been going back-and-forth in arguments with the Environmental Protection Agency(EPA). He indicated the EPA is allegedly getting tired of it all and will be looking into everything regarding the structure.

He noted some of the his concerns including construction being done over vital pipes to the water plant. He said this puts the city even further under the EPAÌs microscope. The city has been dealing with the agency over several water violations. Smith is questioning whether EPA approval was obtained before starting the project. EPA approval would have been needed due to the structure’s location on the bank of the Ohio River. He noted he has heard they got some approvals, but not all the approvals needed.

Smith said he was told by Scout Solar representatives that the company is waiting on a piece of equipment to be delivered to finish the structure at the water plant. It’s not expected to arrive until October. He noted there has been no one there from the solar company to do any work since last fall.

According to Smith, the contract could be voided if Scout Solar doesn’t live up to its end of it. But he questions what can be done with the water plan structure if that happens.

Smith also said he heard the company had greatly reduced its staff.

Multiple calls to Scout Solar were not returned. When reached, former company representative Matt Brophy said he is no longer with Scout Solar. He served as a company spokesman when the local project was announced two years ago and reported in the Columbiana County Newspapers.

kgarabrandt@mojonews.com