Jay County approves one-year moratorium on commercial battery storage

The Jay County Commissioners voted unanimously to adopt Ordinance 2025-06, establishing a one-year moratorium on commercial battery storage facilities in the county.

Chair Chad Aker, presiding, and Commissioners Duane Monroe and Doug Horn said the pause will give county staff and the plan commission time to draft rules addressing safety, setbacks and other community concerns. Attorney Wes Schemenaur told the board the moratorium could be repealed sooner than a year if a replacement ordinance is prepared.

During the public comment period, Lillian Floutsis, representing the Indiana Land & Liberty coalition, urged commissioners not to block local energy development and offered the group’s assistance drafting an ordinance, saying the coalition believed a battery storage ordinance could be completed “in as little as 60 days.” Deb Grider, speaking in support of the moratorium, said a pause was needed to protect adjacent property owners and ensure integrity of incoming projects.

Monroe said he favored a limited moratorium and cautioned against rushing. Horn said he saw benefits to battery storage but agreed the county should adopt regulations first. The board did not specify immediate changes to zoning language at the meeting; commissioners directed staff and the plan commission to prepare recommendations.

The ordinance was moved by Commissioner Duane Monroe and seconded by Commissioner Doug Horn; the motion passed by unanimous vote. The public comment period and next plan commission actions were left as the next procedural steps.