County extends battery storage moratorium through year end while awaiting state action
Summary
Lee County's executive committee approved forwarding a resolution to extend the county's moratorium on utility‑scale battery storage projects through the end of the year while staff monitor state policy activity.
The Executive Committee voted to forward a resolution extending the county’s temporary moratorium on large battery storage projects through Dec. 31, 2025, to allow time for staff to track potential state action and develop permanent rules.
Alice told the committee the previous moratorium expires Aug. 31 and staff prepared draft language to extend the moratorium to the end of the year. She said the extension is intended to “cover us for the time being” while the county waits to see whether the state will adopt regulatory guidance.
Dean Friel moved to send the moratorium resolution to the executive committee for inclusion on the August county board agenda; Chris Norberg seconded and the motion passed with all present voting aye.
Why it matters: the moratorium pauses county approvals for battery storage projects while staff and elected officials consider local code changes and state guidance. Alice said the county “can always undo the moratorium if we get something in place prior to then.”
Ending: The extension will appear on the August county board agenda for final action and staff will monitor state developments.
