White County adopts 12-month moratorium on large-scale solar, wind and storage projects

White County commissioners on March 18 voted to establish a 12-month moratorium on commercial and large-scale solar, wind and energy storage projects within the county.

The moratorium was presented as an ordinance “establishing development moratorium on commercial or large scale, solar and wind, alternative energy generation and storage systems or facilities.” Commissioners said the pause will give staff and elected officials time to complete comprehensive‑planning work and write ordinance language before new projects move forward.

Supporters of the moratorium said it will allow the county to “get the comprehensive planning pieces in place” and to add or subtract provisions after review. The ordinance was read by title during the meeting and received no late amendments. After brief public comments and a motion, the board approved the 12‑month moratorium with a voice vote.

The motion passed with commissioners voting in favor after the reading by title. Commissioners clarified the moratorium applies inside county limits and does not automatically bind municipalities or town boards; it covers county development approvals until the county adopts new rules.

County staff said the moratorium is intended to be temporary, giving planners and the board time to prepare regulations and standards that would guide future large‑scale renewable projects. The vote does not cancel or change already approved permits; it stops new county applications subject to the ordinance from being accepted or processed during the moratorium period.

Next steps identified by commissioners include drafting ordinance language, coordinating with planning staff on updates to the comprehensive plan and scheduling follow‑up meetings over the coming months to craft the regulatory amendments.