Iroquois County board adopts solar, wind and battery ordinances after developer and committee objections

The Iroquois County Board on May 6 voted to adopt ordinances establishing rules for commercial solar energy facilities, commercial wind energy facilities and battery energy storage systems, after the county planning and zoning committee and the Zoning Board of Appeals recommended the measures.

The ordinances were advanced to the county board after the Planning and Zoning Administrator told committee members the Zoning Board of Appeals had reviewed the drafts and recommended approval with no changes. Committee members said the ordinances were intended to give the county regulatory standards for siting and safety without prohibiting projects outright.

During public comment, Bobby Quinones, who identified himself as representing Scott Point Energy, urged several changes to the draft solar ordinance. Quinones said permit fees “appear inconsistent with the fees required of other projects of similar capital value and cost” and asked the county to lower fees to match comparable projects. He also urged the county to allow salvage value to be considered when calculating decommissioning security, saying salvage reduces true decommissioning costs. Quinones asked the board to remove a provision requiring county board approval to reach commercial operations and to clarify that owners must receive notice and an opportunity to cure before permits are revoked.

Planning and zoning staff and several committee members repeatedly referenced state statute and applicable fire and electrical safety codes during discussion. Committee members said the battery storage ordinance explicitly references compliance with the National Fire Protection Association guidance for battery energy storage systems (NFPA 855) and other applicable state and federal codes and that inspections would verify compliance “prior to commercial operation.”

County board members said the ordinances were developed over multiple meetings and by comparing other counties’ rules and state guidance. Several members said the goal was to provide local protections for residents and public safety while allowing projects to proceed under county standards.

The board moved and approved the ordinances by voice vote and roll call after discussion and some members’ abstentions at committee level were recorded. The adopted ordinances direct that projects must meet applicable building, electrical and fire codes and that permitting processes will include inspections and plan verification prior to commercial operation.

Quinones said he would remain available to answer follow-up questions. The county clerk’s office will publish the adopted ordinances and associated implementation steps following the board’s approval.