The Morrow County Board of Commissioners held a work session on July 2, 2025, focusing on several key topics, including updates on renewable energy regulations, land use standards, and recent permitting activities.

The session began with discussions on the evolving landscape of employment law and its implications for local governance. Commissioners noted that they are awaiting the outcomes of various legal cases before making further recommendations on employment-related policies.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the county's renewable energy initiatives, particularly concerning solar energy projects. The commissioners expressed concerns about the new state rules governing solar installations, highlighting that Morrow and Umatilla counties are currently leading in solar development. They noted that the new regulations seem to lag behind the county's existing practices, which have not seen smaller projects in recent years. The discussion included the potential for adopting new standards that would align with state requirements while still providing a pathway for smaller projects to receive permits locally.

Commissioners also debated the implications of the state’s mitigation measures for solar projects, emphasizing the need for clarity on how these measures would be accepted by the state’s energy siting authority (FSEC). They discussed the possibility of inviting developers to a future work session to gather their insights on the proposed changes.

In addition to renewable energy, the meeting touched on broader land use issues, including housing regulations and the challenges posed by state mandates. The commissioners acknowledged the complexities of balancing local land use needs with state requirements, particularly in rural areas where development pressures differ significantly from urban settings.

The session concluded with a notable achievement: the issuance of 63 zoning permits for the B2H project, marking the culmination of a lengthy permitting process that began in 2010. This milestone reflects the county's ongoing efforts to streamline the permitting process for significant infrastructure projects.

Overall, the work session highlighted Morrow County's proactive approach to navigating regulatory changes in renewable energy while addressing local land use challenges. The commissioners plan to reconvene in September to further discuss these topics and any new developments that may arise.