McPherson County adopts 12-month moratorium on utility-scale and specialized technology facilities

The McPherson County Board of Commissioners voted June 10 to adopt Resolution 2026-11, imposing a 12-month moratorium on acceptance of applications for a broad set of utility‑scale and specialized technology facilities.

Commissioner Brett Nason moved to approve and adopt the resolution; Commissioner Jeff Arensdorf seconded. Commissioners Nason, Arensdorf and Chairman John E. Bryant voted aye. No commissioners voted nay.

Resolution 2026-11 lists facility types covered by the moratorium, including wind and solar energy systems, battery energy storage systems, cryptocurrency‑mining operations, data centers, artificial intelligence facilities, carbon dioxide capture/transport/sequestration facilities and high‑voltage electric transmission infrastructure. The resolution expressly supersedes Resolutions 2025‑19, 2025‑21 and 2025‑25 and reserves to the McPherson County Board the exclusive authority to extend the moratorium.

The transcript record does not specify the moratorium’s exact effective date beyond the board’s adoption language, nor does it include any accompanying implementation ordinance; the board reserved authority to extend the moratorium.

The moratorium was passed during the regular June 10 meeting after the Board briefly paused to convene as the Board of Equalization earlier in the session. No public protests or public comments related to the moratorium are recorded in the meeting minutes.

The board is scheduled to meet next at 9:00 AM on July 8, 2026 at the McPherson County Courthouse.