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Dubois County adopts one-year moratorium on new commercial solar applications
Summary
The Dubois County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 15, 2025 adopted Ordinance No. 2025-16, placing a temporary moratorium on filing or processing applications for commercial solar energy systems in unincorporated county areas while a technical review of rules and safety is completed.
The Dubois County Board of Commissioners adopted a temporary moratorium on applications for commercial solar energy systems on Dec. 15, 2025.
Commissioner Nick Hostetter moved to adopt Ordinance No. 2025-16 and Commissioner Chad A. Blessinger seconded; the motion carried. The ordinance enacts a countywide pause on filing, processing, review or acceptance of new applications for commercial or large-scale solar energy systems in unincorporated Dubois County and directs the creation of a technical review committee to recommend amendments to the county’s existing solar regulations. The moratorium will remain in place until Dec. 15, 2026 at noon, until the county amends the existing solar ordinance, or until the board repeals it, whichever comes first. Projects that held valid county permits before the moratorium’s effective date are excluded.
The ordinance cites prior County Ordinance No. 2022-12 (and amendments adopted Dec. 2, 2024) as the current regulatory baseline and notes public input at hearings on Nov. 3, Nov. 17 and Dec. 1, 2025 in which many speakers urged a pause on new commercial solar developments. The board’s stated purpose is to ensure county regulations “align with best practices associated with commercial solar energy system installations, their construction, maintenance, and decommissioning,” and to protect public health, safety and welfare while regulations are reviewed.
Public comment at the Dec. 15 meeting emphasized concerns about battery storage installations associated with some solar projects. Property owner Tom Bartelt said he was told originally there would be four batteries on his property but that “now they want 93 batteries,” and asked who approved the change. Commissioner Blessinger said he believes the relevant federal authorities may be involved in certain approvals. Resident John Klatenbacher said, “I’m okay with solar, but not with battery storage. Safety first.”
Several commenters, including Mark Nowotarski, urged the board to reconsider its participation in the Mid-States Corridor Regional Development Authority (RDA), arguing the RDA has broad statutory power and unclear current purpose. The board did not take formal action on RDA membership at the Dec. 15 meeting.
The moratorium takes effect upon adoption and publication as required by law. The board said the technical review committee will study needed ordinance changes and report recommendations to the commissioners; no membership roster or timeline for the committee was specified in the meeting record.
The board is scheduled to meet next on Jan. 5, 2026.
