Battery Storage operations also get attention

A long drawn out process for managing wind and solar farms in Iroquois County were approved by the County Board (Tuesday). The process wasn’t easy and a few members were reluctant to cast a Yes vote.

A public hearing on the matter is scheduled at the County Administrative Center May 5.

That same old issue of meeting State standards versus Local Control messes with the process, leading to what some call a “watered down” end result.

Board Chairman Paul Ducat said  "its always a struggle because if we set up too many barriers, the greater the possibility of litigation.  We just can't satisfy the State when thgere's no concern of what the local people have to deal with."  

State law doesn’t allow County government mcu latitude; the local officials want more restrictions.  But State law doesn’t allow the locals to have much say.

The County Board decision to adopt could be returned to the Zoning Board of Appeals for another look.

Board members Jody Munsterman, Jamie Bakken and Mitchell Bence voted NO on the Wind and Solar Ordinances while Jed Whitlow and Charlie Alt joined the three voting against the Battery Storage ordinance.

94.1 WGFA