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Senate committee hears divided testimony on bill to restore county land‑use weight in energy siting
Summary
Supporters of Senate Bill 1034 told the Senate Committee on Rules the measure would restore local control over siting of large wind and solar facilities after state siting decisions sometimes overrode county ordinances; renewable‑energy and climate groups warned the bill would slow projects and jeopardize state decarbonization goals.
Senator Todd Nash, chairing the session, told the Senate Committee on Rules on June 5 that Senate Bill 1034 would require the Energy Facility Siting Council (EFSC) to respect local land‑use ordinances in effect when an application is filed or else work with counties to mitigate conflicts.
The bill’s sponsor and multiple county officials said the change responds to recent EFSC decisions that, they said, disregarded locally adopted siting criteria. "Local governments develop comprehensive plans, consider unique needs, and get feedback from our communities," said Umatilla County Commissioner Cindy Timmons during public testimony, urging support for SB 1034. Umatilla and other Eastern Oregon counties, speakers said, want EFSC to apply county standards that were the product of local public processes rather than approve projects that circumvent local rules.
Supporters argued the bill does not create a county veto but requires meaningful consultation and…
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