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County committee forwards wind, solar and energy storage ordinance changes to public hearing
Summary
The Iroquois County Planning & Zoning Committee voted Aug. 4 to forward revised commercial wind, commercial solar and standalone energy storage ordinances to a public hearing Aug. 25, citing a new state statute that constrains local regulatory discretion.
The Iroquois County Planning & Zoning Committee voted Aug. 4 to send revised ordinances for commercial wind, commercial solar and standalone energy storage to a public hearing before the county’s Citizen-Based Advisory (CBA) board on Aug. 25.
County planning staff and the committee said the changes respond to a recent state law effective June 1 that narrows what counties may require for standalone energy storage systems and sets fee limits tied to project megawattage. Presenter (S3) told the committee, "So the statute is far more restrictive than what the within solar statute is... it essentially says, here are the requirements a county can have. These the only requirements a county can have." The committee instructed staff to publish notice and return the ordinances to the committee on Sept. 1 before the full county board considers final approval.
Why it matters: the state statute limits several of the county’s traditional review factors and places caps on certain fees and inspection charges. Presenter (S3) explained the ordinance will use the new statutory terminology ("energy storage system" rather than "battery energy storage facility"), incorporate National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards where the statute allows, and set fee schedules that align with the statute’s ceilings.
Key provisions noted by staff include a statutory cap on building permit and inspection fees tied to megawatt ratings, the county’s ability to require screening only from nonparticipating residences (not from all adjacent parcels), and the need for flexibility where state law preempts local subjective review factors such as generalized "detriment to health or welfare." The committee emphasized the ordinances are draft and can be revised during the public hearing process.
The committee’s vote forwards the draft ordinances to the CBA public hearing scheduled for Aug. 25; staff said public testimony will be taken there and the committee will reconvene Sept. 1 to consider any required revisions before forwarding final language to the full county board.
