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Ward County places three-month moratorium on Battery Energy Storage System zoning language after public hearing
Summary
After a public hearing with NextEra representatives and concerned residents, the Ward County Commission voted to send proposed BESS ordinance language back to the Planning Commission and impose a three-month moratorium or until an ordinance is passed.
Planning and Zoning Administrator Beth Pietsch introduced proposed language to add Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) provisions to the Ward County Land Zoning Ordinance during a public hearing at the July 7 meeting.
NextEra representative Daulton Pearson offered suggested edits while resident Brian Lee raised multiple concerns about the projects’ local impacts. NextEra fire-safety expert Fallon Adair described fire safety protocols related to battery augmentation and emergency response procedures. The commission then voted on a motion "to send the language back to the Planning Commission for discussion and place a moratorium on BESS for 3 months or until the ordinance is passed," a motion moved by Comm. Olson and seconded by Comm. Schuler that passed by roll call.
The moratorium pauses permitting or development tied to the proposed BESS language while staff and the Planning Commission review the draft ordinance language and safety considerations. Pietsch’s presentation and public testimony focused on definitions, siting requirements and safety standards to be added to the county zoning code.
The action does not adopt final ordinance language; it directs further Planning Commission deliberation and temporarily prevents implementation of the proposed rules. The public hearing opened at 9:05 AM and closed at 10:13 AM.
