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Amelia County planning body recommends new battery energy storage rules ahead of July 1 state deadline
Summary
The Planning Commission recommended approval of a zoning text amendment that would add new regulations for battery energy storage required by a state law that takes effect July 1; staff said the ordinance must be adopted locally before that date to preserve regulatory authority.
The Amelia County Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission held a joint public hearing on a proposed zoning text amendment to regulate battery energy storage and the Planning Commission moved to recommend the ordinance to the Board of Supervisors.
Staff introduced the item as a response to recent state legislation, saying, "This is a, code change before you tonight based on some, changes and, a new law passed by the general assembly that's gonna be effective July 1." The draft would add specific standards for battery energy storage and make them part of the county code so the county retains its ability to impose those requirements.
The ordinance clarifies that, beginning July 1, certain battery storage will be an accessory use to approved solar facilities and therefore allowed by right under state law; adopting local requirements before that deadline gives the county regulatory leverage over how those installations are built and managed. Staff and members cited the tight timeline repeatedly during discussion and urged getting standards in place prior to the state deadline.
The Planning Commission voted to approve the text "as it's written" and the commission chair said the recommendation will be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors for further action. No public speakers addressed the amendment during the hearing.
The next procedural step is for the Board of Supervisors to consider the Planning Commission's recommendation at a future meeting; staff said the Board must act before July 1 if it wants local regulations to take effect under the new state framework.
