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Commissioners signal support for restrictive interim energy ordinance to protect agricultural land and aquifer
Summary
After a lengthy evening hearing with dozens of speakers, Jerome County commissioners said they intend to adopt interim, restrictive energy‑facility rules prioritizing agricultural protection and aquifer safety, but they did not adopt final ordinances that night and will agendize fully written ordinances for a future vote.
Jerome County commissioners told a packed hearing on April 13 that they support adopting interim, restrictive rules on where large‑scale energy facilities may be sited, citing a need to protect the county’s agricultural land and the local aquifer.
The evening session—attended by farmers, energy company representatives, and other residents—focused on proposed amendments to the county comprehensive plan (Chapter 10) and new zoning language (proposed Chapter 11–Energy Facilities and revisions to Chapter 7). Staff described an approach that would limit energy facilities to industrially zoned areas and convert the zoning standard from 'special use' to 'conditional use' so projects would be approved only upon meeting conditions. Planning and zoning staff had recommended denying the draft as written, calling it too restrictive.
Supporters at the hearing urged strong protections. Resident Daniel Haney said Jerome County’s economy is driven by agriculture, not energy. Julie DeWolfe Arroyo told the Board, “The aquifer ... is the life blood of all of our agriculture in the area,” and urged measures that prevent groundwater harm.
Industry and developer speakers pushed for more flexible, site‑specific rules. Elizabeth Koeckentz of Nextera Energy said the draft contains inconsistent definitions and differing acreage thresholds for solar versus battery energy storage systems (BESS), and asked the county to define what constitutes 'ag land' and what it means to 'impede' agricultural uses. A company representative (Ufuomah) countered that BESS facilities have minimal land impacts and that conditioning applications on site‑specific mitigation would be preferable to broad prohibition.
Commissioners Ben Crouch, Art Watkins and Charles Howell each said they favor moving forward with restrictive interim language while committing to further refinements. Crouch said the ordinance is not perfect but needs timely adoption to protect the area and that further work sessions will address definition and process issues. The Board stopped short of adopting the ordinance that night; staff said a formal adoption would require the ordinances to be fully drafted, published and agendized—typically a 2–4 month process.
Why it matters: Jerome County is anticipating growth and rising local energy demand while seeking to preserve agricultural land that underpins the local economy. The county’s approach frames siting rules as a temporary protection while staff and the commissioners refine technical definitions and permit timelines. Next steps include completing ordinance language, additional public workshops, and a scheduled hearing and vote after required notice and publication.
