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County endorses comment letter urging voluntary participation, raises concerns about agricultural mitigation and battery storage
Summary
Umatilla County's community development director presented and the board endorsed a comment letter to the Land Conservation and Development Commission on Eastern Oregon solar siting rules, urging opt-in/voluntary participation and flagging mitigation and battery storage concerns.
Bob Walder, Umatilla County's community development director, asked the board to approve a comment letter to the Oregon Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC) about rulemaking for photovoltaic projects in Eastern Oregon. Staff said the rulemaking was initiated under House Bill 3409 and aims to address siting factors for large-scale solar projects.
Walder said the county's letter expresses concern that the proposed rules would increase permitting burdens and would require counties to opt out rather than allowing counties the option to opt in, and that Umatilla County favors voluntary participation by counties that wish to engage. The letter also raises questions about agricultural mitigation requirements and notes an absence of provisions addressing battery storage associated with solar projects.
Commissioners moved and seconded endorsement of the letter; the board voted to send the comment letter to DLCD and the rulemaking advisory committee. Commissioners emphasized the importance of local control and the need to examine battery-storage regulations and agricultural protections further.
Action: adopted and authorized staff to transmit the county's comment letter to LCDC and the rulemaking advisory committee.
