Monroe County adopts one-year pause to study non-utility electricity generation siting

Monroe County commissioners unanimously approved Ordinance 2025-21 on July 17, creating a one-year period for the county to study and, if needed, update its development rules governing the siting, construction and deployment of certain electricity generation facilities. The ordinance applies to private electricity-generation projects that are not public utilities and excludes solar and wind projects and facilities owned by public utilities or electric cooperatives, the county planning director said. The one-year timeline is intended to allow staff time to research how the state law (enrolled act 04-25) affects county code and whether amendments to the County Development Ordinance are needed. The ordinance was presented by Planning Director Jelen, who said the change responds to state legislation that took effect July 1. Jelen told the commissioners the measure “gives us the ability to put in any necessary updates in our county development ordinance and do further research.” Commissioners discussed the scope of the state law and noted questions about whether previous mine sites or quarries would be included in the state’s definition of an “energy production zone.” The planning director said staff already had begun work to clarify those points for the county. All three commissioners voted to approve the ordinance. The board recorded no public comment at the meeting on the item. The county will return with any proposed development ordinance changes or guidance before the one-year period ends.