Patrick County adopts solar energy facilities ordinance after lengthy public hearing

The Patrick County Board of Supervisors approved a solar energy facilities ordinance on March 9, 2026, after an extended public hearing that drew residents, environmental advocates, and a clean-energy developer. The motion to approve the ordinance as a "working document" passed in roll call after supervisors debated enforceability and legal risk. "I'll move to approve the solar ordinance, with the caveat knowing that it's a working document," said a supervisor who made the motion.

Many residents urged the board to tighten testing and enforcement language. Norma Bozemeyer, who described herself as a long-time environmental monitor, told the board the draft was "totally unenforceable as written," arguing the ordinance should specify test methods, sampling durations, and acceptable limits for listed contaminants. Kurt Bosenmeyer warned the board that removing protections for designated scenic and wildlife areas and relying on AI-drafted language could expose the county to legal challenges. Andy Welch, a developer with Rick Energy, said crystalline-silicon panels used in his projects "have no history of contamination" and urged the county not to overreach into state and federal jurisdiction.

Board discussion focused on finding a starting point while avoiding provisions that a court might strike. One supervisor cautioned that poorly drafted language could be "guaranteed to fail" in court and leave the county without regulatory protections. The roll-call tally recorded Mister Marshall voting No; Mister Kendrick, Mister Wood, and the board chair voting Aye. The board approved the ordinance without adopting a final, litigation-tested text; supervisors said the document could be revised further by the planning commission and staff before enforcement.