Jan. 11—GREENSBURG — New alternative energy development has been put on hold following a vote by the Decatur County Board of Commissioners Thursday evening to enact a moratorium on such projects for a period of two years.
A major topic of conversation at Thursday’s meeting was a proposed ordinance to place a 24-month moratorium on new applications for solar energy systems and wind powered devices.
Francisco Galeano of RWE Clean Energy introduced himself and his company to the Greensburg public at a Board of Zoning Appeals meeting in March 2024. Since that time, solar farms and the 2017 Greensburg Comprehensive Plan have been contentious topics for many local residents.
In March 2024, RWE Clean Energy applied for a zoning exception to erect a “solar farm” on 1,700 acres of leased land north of Greensburg. During a three hour meeting, at least 20 people rose to speak in favor of or against it.
Multiple lengthy meetings followed, until in September, when a vote was taken, the exception was denied by a vote of 5 to 0.
In November 2024, Geenex/Cobia Solar applied for an exception to build a 5,500 acre solar farm in the northwest part of the county.
The most common objection cited regarding development of both proposed projects was that a solar farm doesn’t comply with the Decatur County Comprehensive Plan.
At Thursday’s meeting, Commissioner President Jeremy Pasel read the moratorium ordinance aloud.
“Whereas the Board of Commissioners of Decatur County, in order to continue to foster desirable growth in an orderly and well considered manner that will guide the future development and change in Decatur County that is supported by its residents, believe that an updated Comprehensive Plan should be commissioned to accurately represent the opinions and beliefs of the residents of Decatur County. A moratorium shall be enacted within Decatur County, Indiana, commencing January 9th, 2025 for any and all filing, processing, reviewing, and/or acceptance of all new applications relative to (wind or solar).”
The moratorium, which passed unanimously, can be shortened or extended for “good cause upon the progress of the updated Comprehensive Plan.”
It should be noted that the Geenex/Cobia Solar exception application is not affected by the moratorium because it’s already in the process of either being granted or denied by the BZA.
Contact Bill Rethlake at 812-651-0876 or email bill.rethlake@greensburgdailynews.com