Edgar County schedules Oct. 16 hearing on revised wind, solar and battery-storage siting rules

Edgar County officials confirmed a public hearing for Oct. 16 at 5:00 p.m. to consider a revised wind ordinance and related provisions covering solar arrays and battery energy storage systems.

County staff told the board that a recently filed omnibus energy bill at the state level would likely require changes to the county's existing wind and solar rules and could remove or limit local permitting authority over standalone battery-storage facilities. "We believe it's likely to pass or some version of it is likely to pass," said Andy (staff member), who walked the board through the draft changes.

The board heard details that an anticipated statutory revision would tighten hearing timelines and cap some fees. Under one described proposal, a county would need to complete a hearing within 30 days of receiving an application (the county's current process requires starting a hearing within 60 days). Proposed fee caps discussed during the meeting…