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Senate committee hears bill to require FSEC to apply local land‑use standards in energy siting
Summary
Senate Bill 1034 would require the Energy Facility Siting Council to apply a local government's land‑use regulations when the local government provides them; proponents say the change restores local control, opponents say it would add cost and complexity to siting renewable projects.
Senate Bill 1034 drew a lengthy and partisan public hearing on March 31 in the Senate Energy and Environment Committee as local officials, industry groups and farmers debated whether the Energy Facility Siting Council (FSEC) should be required to apply local land‑use regulations when a county provides them.
Sen. Todd Nash (D–District 29) introduced the measure and said it was prompted by a contentious FSEC approval in Umatilla County. "They had a siting of windmills within their county...and in the end, when their own county ordinances, their own land use planning of their county, was overruled by FSEC," Nash said, summarizing the county's view of the dispute and why the bill was needed.
Umatilla County officials and a coalition of Eastern Oregon counties testified in support. Cindy Timmons, Umatilla County commissioner, urged that FSEC not "second guess" locally adopted criteria that were produced through county planning processes. County officials described a local substantive standard — a two‑mile setback from dwellings — that FSEC did not apply…
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