Revised solar energy, wind energy regs forwarded to commissioners – Platte County Record-Times

Platte County Planning and Zoning Board Advances Renewable Energy Regulation Updates

Introduction

The Platte County Planning and Zoning Board voted to recommend approval (“do pass”) of proposed amendments to regulations governing solar energy facilities and wind energy conversion systems. These updates aim to provide comprehensive guidelines for renewable energy projects in Platte County, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Background and Process

The regulatory revisions follow extensive meetings and public consultations over several months. The need for updates was partly prompted by NextEra Energy Resources’ announced interest in developing wind and solar projects in the county, although no permit applications have yet been submitted. The regulations serve as overarching guidelines applicable to any renewable energy projects considering operations within Platte County.

Public Hearings and Community Input

Two public hearings were held—one addressing solar energy regulations (Section 13.15) and the other wind energy conversion system regulations (Section 13.20). The hearings lasted three and a half hours, during which community members expressed diverse views and concerns.

Key Comments on Solar Energy Facility Regulation Changes

1. Appreciation for inclusion of some public-suggested items, though disappointment over omitted requests.
2. Concerns regarding the inclusion of a statement promoting state renewable energy agendas, emphasizing the county’s primary responsibility to protect citizen health, welfare, and private property rights (SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being; SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).
3. Requests for explicit consideration of economic impacts to safeguard the county budget.
4. Calls for clarification of definitions and terminology within the regulations.
5. Recommendations to mandate groundwater protection measures, such as catchment systems, to prevent toxic runoff and protect public health (SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation).
6. Proposals for increased setbacks—up to 1.25 miles—from property lines to safeguard neighboring residents’ property use and wildlife corridors (SDG 15: Life on Land).
7. Requests for further review and refinement of the regulations before final approval.
8. Clarification on dual-use permitting in rural agricultural and residential zoning districts.
9. Suggestions to modify safety manual requirements to balance operational transparency with practicality.
10. Concerns regarding liability and reimbursement for damages and firefighting costs, advocating for robust insurance coverage.
11. Criticism of scheduling public hearings on dates limiting public participation.
12. Encouragement to review stricter renewable energy regulations from other Wyoming counties for best practices.
13. Emphasis on maintaining strong liability provisions to protect citizens.
14. Requests to reintroduce plan review application requirements and clarify emerging regulatory areas such as Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).

Key Comments on Wind Energy Conversion System Regulation Changes

• Emphasis on ensuring regulatory language accurately reflects board intent.
• Concerns about the visual and environmental impact of large-scale wind farms, including tower heights comparable to major power plant structures.
• Requests for minimum safety setbacks considering full-range decibel emissions and non-audible sound waves affecting health (SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being).
• Concerns over potential property damage from fiberglass particles dispersed by turbines.
• Calls for setbacks of at least one mile, with some advocating up to five miles, to protect non-participating landowners’ rights and safety.
• Reminders that the board’s mandate includes protecting health, safety, and private property rights.
• Requests for clear legal recourse provisions for landowners harmed by wind projects.
• Concerns about impacts on quality of life, property values, and potential eminent domain issues.
• Testimonies highlighting negative community impacts from existing wind farms in other states.
• Questions about compliance with state statutes regarding economic development language in regulations.
• Calls for inclusion of data-driven evidence on health effects and prioritization of vulnerable populations.
• Concerns about unequal setback protections between town residents and county residents.
• Debates over prioritizing financial benefits versus property rights and health.
• Reminders that renewable energy projects have lasting impacts beyond political trends (SDG 13: Climate Action).
• Encouragement to consider regulatory approaches from both restrictive and accommodating counties.
• Recommendations to align aircraft detection lighting system requirements with FAA guidelines.
• Requests for definitions and inventories related to private airstrips and setback standards.
• Suggestions to standardize terminology for applicants and permittees across regulations.
• Support expressed for large-scale wind farms based on positive economic and community experiences elsewhere.
• Appreciation for the board’s efforts to balance diverse opinions and regulatory fairness.
• Concerns about typographical errors affecting regulatory clarity.

Decision and Next Steps

Following detailed page-by-page review and consideration of public input, the Planning and Zoning Board made limited textual changes to the proposed regulations. Solar energy regulations were updated to remove references to non-existent county BESS rules, correct terminology, and fix numbering errors. Wind energy regulations were amended for grammatical accuracy and to include “wells” in engineering plan requirements related to drainage and erosion control.

The county attorney will review the regulations, particularly regarding language about promoting economic opportunities and renewable energy goals, before the Platte County Commissioners consider them, likely in their January meeting.

Public Access to Information

• The proposed regulations are available on the Platte County official website: plattecountywyoming.com.
• Copies can also be requested at the county clerk’s office.
• Recordings of the Planning and Zoning public hearings and meetings are accessible on the county’s YouTube channel: @plattecountywyoming.

Conclusion

The Platte County Planning and Zoning Board’s regulatory updates reflect an ongoing commitment to balancing sustainable development with community health, safety, and property rights. These efforts contribute to advancing SDGs by fostering responsible renewable energy development, protecting ecosystems, and ensuring inclusive community participation in decision-making processes.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
   • The article discusses regulations related to solar and wind energy projects, which are renewable energy sources.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The planning and zoning board’s efforts to regulate renewable energy projects to protect health, safety, and property rights relate to creating sustainable communities.
3. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • The promotion of renewable energy sources supports climate action by reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
4. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Concerns about setbacks to protect wildlife corridors and landowner rights relate to the protection of terrestrial ecosystems.
5. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Public concerns about health impacts from noise and toxic runoff from renewable energy projects highlight the importance of health and well-being.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
   • Target 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and waste management.
   • Target 11.3: Enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management.
3. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
4. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Target 15.1: Ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems.
5. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.9: Reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. SDG 7 Indicators
   • Proportion of renewable energy in the total final energy consumption (implied by the promotion and regulation of solar and wind energy projects).
2. SDG 11 Indicators
   • Number of people affected by noise pollution and other environmental hazards related to energy projects (implied by concerns over sound waves and setbacks).
   • Implementation of zoning regulations and setbacks to protect non-participating landowners and wildlife corridors.
3. SDG 13 Indicators
   • Inclusion of renewable energy targets in local and state policies (implied by references to Wyoming’s renewable energy goals).
4. SDG 15 Indicators
   • Protection of wildlife corridors and land use changes monitored through setback distances and environmental impact assessments.
5. SDG 3 Indicators
   • Incidence of health complaints related to noise and toxic runoff from renewable energy facilities (implied by public health concerns).
   • Monitoring of groundwater quality and implementation of catchment systems to prevent contamination.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: pcrecordtimes.com