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County staff say recent White House memo unlikely to block Rocky Forge wind project; legal review ongoing
Summary
Board members pressed county staff about a recent presidential memorandum on wind projects and whether it affects the Rocky Forge onshore wind project; county attorney and staff said they had seen no immediate permitting impediment but would continue to monitor.
During a permit-and-project update the board discussed the Rocky Forge onshore wind project and asked whether a recent presidential memorandum affecting wind approvals would alter the project’s federal permitting path.
Nicole Pendleton and county attorney staff briefed supervisors on the county’s ongoing review and on Apex/Rocky Forge project activity. Pendleton reported active civil permitting and preconstruction activity at the Apex/’Apex Monthly Report’ site; she said mobilization and clearing and grading were expected to begin the week following the meeting and that building permits for turbines and ancillary facilities were imminent.
Supervisors asked about the potential effect of a presidential memorandum issued Jan. 20 that the public has discussed in the press. County attorney staff said the executive memorandum is broadly drafted and that, to their knowledge, the wind project did not have outstanding federal permits that the memorandum would explicitly block. Staff noted counsel for the developer had not identified any immediate impediment and that the county would continue to monitor federal permitting and litigation matters that could affect construction.
Why it matters: Rocky Forge has been the subject of prior litigation and remains a high-profile local land-use and energy project; federal permitting or policy changes could affect timing or the developer’s obligations.
The board did not take formal action on the project at the meeting. County staff said they will continue to follow federal developments and update the board as necessary; the county’s litigation calendar includes upcoming appellate work related to earlier challenges.
Speakers quoted or referenced in this article: Nicole Pendleton, Director of Development Services; County Attorney (not named in the public transcript); counsel for Rocky Forge (referenced); Apex/attorneys (referenced).
Ending: Staff will monitor federal guidance and litigation and return to the board if federal permit issues or developer disclosures require action or modification of the county’s review.
