Pulaski County APC recommends 12-month moratorium on commercial battery storage while updating UDO

The Pulaski County Advisory Planning Commission voted to recommend a 12-month moratorium on permits for commercial battery energy storage systems, saying the pause will allow staff and the county attorney to draft and the Board of Commissioners to consider text amendments to the county Unified Development Ordinance.

The moratorium, as presented by the plan administrator, “is for 12 months” and would pause the filing and acceptance of new permit applications for BESS within the commission’s jurisdiction, the plan administrator said. The draft language also allows the moratorium to be terminated early if the recommended UDO text amendments are approved before the 12‑month period ends.

Commissioners and staff said the pause is intended to give the county time to study BESS safety, setbacks, decommissioning, noise and lighting controls, emergency response, and other standards. The plan administrator said the draft ordinance would identify BESS, note that certain BESS installations must follow NFPA 855 and state permitting, and add specific definitions and procedures for battery systems.

Why it matters: Commissioners and residents said the county currently has limited specific rules for battery storage. Without updated text, developers could seek permits under standards that do not address battery‑specific risks and operational requirements. The moratorium is intended to prevent new installations from being permitted under incomplete rules while the UDO is updated.

Key discussion points and proposed regulatory items

- Scope and duration: The draft moratorium presented would be effective for 12 months, commencing as written in the draft ordinance (the ordinance text as read to the commission states a commencement date). The plan administrator said the moratorium could be ended early if text amendments are recommended by the commission and approved by the Board of Commissioners.

- Definitions and standards: The draft adds definitions for…