Edgar County board to review state battery-storage law before considering local zoning

EDGAR COUNTY — Edgar County board members said they will review the newly signed state law on battery storage before deciding whether to pursue local zoning or ordinance changes.

The board devoted extensive time to the topic after Speaker 6 raised concerns about battery-storage projects and the potential for follow-on development such as data centers. "If you're not zoned, you can't do anything with battery," Speaker 1 said during the discussion, urging the group to obtain the signed bill and the state’s minimum standards for decommissioning and safety.

Why it matters: the state law sets baseline requirements that limit what counties may regulate. Board members said zoning can create opportunities for local hearings and an ordinance that addresses decommissioning and emergency-service access, but several members warned that zoning also opens an administrative pathway future boards could expand.

What the board asked for: members asked staff to distribute the text of the governor’s signed bill and to flag sections on decommissioning and safety. They directed staff to pursue one or more expert briefings — Speaker 6 proposed inviting consultant Andy to a study session and suggested sending selected sections in advance so members can prepare.

Board members emphasized finances and process: several members noted attorney costs and additional administrative layers such as creating a zoning commission. "We may not want anything, but we need to make an educated decision," Speaker 6 said, urging a discussion that clarifies what local control remains under the state statute.

Next steps: the board agreed to ask for a written copy of the law, have the county attorney (Phil) review relevant provisions and schedule an information session. The board did not take any formal vote or adopt any ordinance on battery storage during the meeting.

Context: participants referenced recent state-level action and noted seminars available through the Illinois county association (UCCI) to explain the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act and related rules; members discussed the relative merits of in-person versus remote expert briefings.

The board said it will revisit the topic at an upcoming study session after receiving the bill text and staff analysis.