County sets second-readings for several moratoria; transmission moratorium remanded for further review

HUMBOLDT COUNTY — Following the wind-energy public hearing, supervisors conducted first readings and public hearings on a series of moratoria that would pause acceptance of applications or permits for several kinds of large infrastructure: battery energy storage (Ordinance 78), commercial electrical transmission lines (Ordinance 79), data centers (Ordinance 80), pipelines (Ordinance 81) and solar utility systems (Ordinance 82).

The board opened each hearing, took brief comment where provided, and set second-reading dates for June 22 for most moratoria. The battery storage moratorium was scheduled for June 22 at 9:00 a.m., the data-center moratorium at 9:05 a.m., the pipeline moratorium at 9:10 a.m., and the solar moratorium at 9:15 a.m.

During the commercial electrical transmission hearing, Jacob Goldberg, general manager at Orbell Power Cooperative, told the board that the county’s transmission infrastructure is essential to delivering safe, affordable power to about 1,100 members and that an overly broad moratorium could impede necessary maintenance and rebuilds. After discussion, the board voted to remand the transmission moratorium back to planning and zoning for additional consideration rather than advance it immediately to a second reading.

Several planning and utility representatives offered to work with the county on technical language and timelines; supervisors clarified that remanding an item to planning and zoning can require republication if substantive changes are later made.

Ending: The board set second-reading dates for the moratoria on June 22 and remanded the transmission moratorium to planning and zoning for further drafting; staff and planning and zoning will take the comments into account before the board’s next meeting.

Key actions and scheduling:

• Ordinance 78 (battery energy storage moratorium): second reading set for June 22 at 9:00 a.m.

• Ordinance 79 (commercial electrical transmission moratorium): remanded to planning and zoning for further review; no second-reading date advanced at this meeting.

• Ordinances 80–82 (data center, pipeline, solar moratoria): second readings set for June 22 at 9:05, 9:10 and 9:15 a.m., respectively.

Quotes:

• “Please consider how such future ordinances would impact our ability to operate or maintain our systems,” Jacob Goldberg of Orbell Power Cooperative said, urging a careful review of transmission rules.

• Planning staff and supervisors said companies and utilities may submit technical input and that planning and zoning will have an opportunity to refine drafts before final action.

Next steps: Planning and zoning staff to review and, where applicable, revise drafts; the board will consider second readings on June 22 and may accept, amend, remand again or reject the ordinances.