Gage County continues restriction on commercial solar energy operations

BEATRICE – By a split vote of county supervisors, Gage County has extended a moratorium prohibiting permits for commercial solar energy operations, through the end of next June.  The 4-3 vote of the board followed questions about whether the moratorium is needed. The restriction gives the county’s planning and zoning commission more time to come up with regulations governing larger commercial solar energy projects.

"I just think it's cleaner if we have regulations in place before a permit comes forward."

Board member Emily Haxby voted with Terry Jurgens, Dennis Byars and Eddie Dorn in the majority. Voting in opposition to extending the moratorium were Board Chairman Erich Tiemann, Don Schuller and Gary Lytle.

"If there are any real concerns, I think P-and-Z could look at it...we could adopt something as far as a setback, if there is a real concern. Maybe there's some research out there that can say there's issues with these, but as far as a commercial solar farm coming into the county, I just don't see this as a big concern."

Gage County Planning Commission Administrator Lisa Wiegand says the setback distance from other properties is likely to be the key issue…though perhaps not as controversial when the county was considering new tougher regulations on wind farms, which were recently approved.  "A lot of it, again, is based on public input. How the public responds to the existing regulations or the suggestions, and then giving the commission enough time to go back and review."

The Gage County Board has approved the reappointment of Jeff Argo to the county planning commission for another term, and a vacancy on the commission is yet to be filled. Wiegand says time is needed to find out what other counties are doing.

"Some counties keep it so simple. The first review of 150-feet (setback) should be ample enough. But, as the commission starts to review the concerns of property owners....you know, some of these operations could be up to a half-section."

Supervisor Don Schuller has supported considering north and south areas of the county differently when it comes to such permits.  "Population is certainly less in the south half. I guess I like to keep in mind that there could be a difference. We could split this."

The extended moratorium doesn’t apply to smaller residential solar energy projects.

A solar energy company has been working with Lancaster County farmers and landowners on a 230-megawatt solar facility, east of Lincoln….one that could power 30,000 homes.