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Resident asks about PFAS and solar development; county attorney says Energex known developer, warns targeted chemical ban could create legal issues
Summary
During public comment April 10, resident Robert Carlson asked whether county insurance covers PFAS and whether other solar companies are seeking to develop in Tazewell County; County Attorney Chase Collins said the county is not covered by insurance for PFAS, said Energex is the only known company attempting development and cautioned that a targeted chemical ban could raise legal concerns. Member Kyle Cruey asked Collins to draft a recommendation for solar panel safety data sheets; the transcript does not record the vote outcome.
Resident Robert Carlson raised several questions during the public‑comment period at the April 10 meeting of the Tazewell County Planning Commission, asking first whether the county’s insurance policy covers PFAS liabilities and then whether other solar companies are seeking to develop in the county.
Chase Collins, the county attorney, responded that the county is not covered for PFAS claims. On the question of solar developers, Collins said the county frequently receives zoning inquiry letters but that Energex is the only company the county currently knows to be attempting development in Tazewell County. Carlson also asked whether the Board of Supervisors had considered banning specific chemicals that would prohibit installation of solar panels; Collins said a ban on certain chemicals without a comprehensive county‑wide zoning approach could be viewed as targeting Energex and could create legal issues.
Member Kyle Cruey asked Collins if he could draft a recommendation for solar panel safety data sheets to present to the Board of Supervisors. Collins agreed, and the commission "brought it to a vote," according to the meeting record; the transcript does not record or report the outcome of that vote.
The transcript does not include further action, dates, or documents for a draft recommendation; the commission did not specify next steps in the minutes provided.
