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Supervisors discuss solar siting, moratoriums and public input; no formal policy vote
Summary
Supervisors spent significant time reviewing solar policy, citing public concern and technical issues such as grid capacity; they reiterated that any new proposals must go through the planning commission and board and emphasized continued study rather than immediate policy action.
Washington County supervisors devoted a substantial portion of their meeting to updates and discussion about solar projects, stressing public engagement, technical constraints and the need for more study rather than immediate regulatory change.
Supervisor Ball said the board had "done a lot of learning about solar" and said the county must "continue to examine where we wanna be with the solar projects" as a moratorium deadline for grid connection approaches. Several supervisors described broad public interest and regular contact from constituents; one noted that the citizenry had made its views known during recent meetings.
Supervisor McCall cited media coverage from California in which high levels of solar generation have exceeded transmission capacity, telling colleagues that in some places utilities are asking producers to reduce output because the grid cannot carry the power. Supervisor Finnington and others praised local engagement and reported attendance at meetings with fire chiefs, VDOT and state police on interstate traffic and incident management.
Multiple supervisors emphasized procedure: Ms. Bowness reminded the board that any new proposal (including a refiled Catalyst Energy Partners plan) would have to start again at the planning commission and come to the board for consideration. Supervisor Hernandez commended staff and Mr. Richardson for their work responding to public questions and urged renewed attention to a blight subcommittee and to finding a county-appropriate site for a convenience station after a previously considered property showed potential environmental liabilities.
No zoning ordinance or moratorium was adopted at the meeting. Supervisors said more research and public engagement would guide the county’s approach going forward.
