Morrow County approves comments on Wellspring solar project's notice of intent
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Summary
The board approved a county comment letter on the Wellspring solar project's notice of intent to the state Energy Facility Siting Council and asked staff to expand the project's area of impact in the county's response; the motion carried at the meeting.
The Morrow County Board of Commissioners voted to submit county comments on the notice of intent (NOI) for the Wellspring solar project to the Energy Facility Siting Council, and asked planning staff to include an expanded area of impact in the county’s response.
Tamara Mabbit, planning director, summarized the NOI and explained the county’s role while the project remains under state review. She said the applicant has identified multiple transmission line route options and that transmission permitting can be a separate land‑use decision for the county when the line is under 10 miles and wholly within county boundaries. Mabbit told the board the county’s packet included maps and the local criteria staff had compiled for comment.
A commissioner moved and the board approved the county letter recommending that the county’s local criteria be considered and that the area of potential impact be expanded. The motion passed with the chair announcing “motion carried.” Commissioners noted that local review will continue even if the project later remains at the state level, and staff reminded the board the state also holds public input meetings (one was scheduled locally the following evening).
Next steps: Planning staff will finalize and transmit the county’s comment letter to FSEC and monitor whether the applicant formally withdraws from state review to pursue local permitting.
