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Navajo County holds renewable energy listening sessions; staff clarifies county authority
Summary
County staff and supervisors held the first public listening session on renewable energy, stressing the county cannot decide what energy types are developed but can regulate land use through zoning; SRP and APS were invited and public concerns ranged from environmental impacts to local economic benefits.
County staff held the first of several public listening sessions on renewable energy and told attendees the county does not control which types of energy are produced but can regulate development chiefly through zoning, a county staff member said.
The sessions aim to gather public input as staff and the Board of Supervisors consider updates to the county’s ordinance on energy development. County staff invited utility representatives from SRP (Salt River Project) and APS (Arizona Public Service) to the session to explain statewide constraints and options, a decision that drew some pushback from members of the public.
At the start of the briefing, County staff member Brad said, "The county does not determine what types of energy are produced or developed or or used." He repeated that the county cannot outright prohibit businesses and instead typically exercises authority through zoning. "We are not in charge of restarting and not restarting coal power plants," Brad said, adding that inviting SRP and APS was intended to provide technical context for local discussion.
Speakers at the meeting raised a range of concerns and perspectives: environmental and wildlife protection, preservation of scenic vistas, and the potential economic benefits to local businesses from construction and operations. Staff said private property owners voiced opinions as well. The county provided a public comment process that includes in-person sessions (two additional sessions were scheduled for the week) and an online submission option via a QR code; staff will compile and publish the comments and provide them to the board.
County leaders who spoke later in the meeting encouraged attendance at the remaining listening sessions and praised staff for creating a forum where diverse viewpoints could be aired. The board indicated it intends to review the compiled comments when considering any ordinance changes.
Staff said the listening sessions are part of an outreach phase; no ordinance changes or formal regulatory actions were adopted at the meetings. The county will bring materials and a staff summary back to the Board of Supervisors for subsequent discussion.
