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Esmeralda County adopts ordinance to formalize special use permits for renewable energy, transmission and mining
Summary
The Board adopted Ordinance 25-OR-03, establishing application, review and public hearing procedures for special use permits covering renewable energy generation, transmission projects and mining operations; the ordinance will be published Jan. 22 and Jan. 29 for public notice.
The Esmeralda County Board of Commissioners voted Jan. 20 to adopt Ordinance 25-OR-03, a new measure that formalizes special use permit (SUP) procedures for renewable energy generation, transmission projects and mining operations.
Commissioner Rachel Holt read the ordinance summary, which says the measure establishes an application process, public hearing requirements and standards for review and final decision on SUPs for the covered project types. The board approved the ordinance and authorized publication for two consecutive weeks — Jan. 22 and Jan. 29, 2026 — as required for public notice.
The ordinance sets out procedural steps for applicants seeking county approval for projects that may include large-scale renewable energy installations, transmission corridors or mining activities. Commissioners did not debate the ordinance at length during the meeting; the summary was read into the record and then adopted by motion.
The adoption triggers the county’s public-notice schedule and begins the statutory timeline for any prospective applications under the new SUP rules. Under the ordinance, members of the public will have opportunity to comment at hearings that follow the published notices.
No votes against or abstentions were recorded in the minutes; the board's action was recorded as unanimous.
