Montgomery County commissioners passed a resolution on Monday opposing legislation that would create statewide standards for wind and solar farms.
Lawmakers behind the legislation say a patchwork of local ordinances has made it difficult to build wind and solar projects in Indiana. Their legislation would restrict local governments from having ordinances stricter than state guidelines.
But a growing number of county commissioners across the state say the legislation undermines local control.
Jim Fulwider is a Montgomery County Commissioner. The county approved a strict zoning ordinance in 2019 designed to make it difficult for wind projects to be built in the region. He said the state bill is a clear overreach.
“I’m here to say that what is good in Montgomery County is not necessarily good in Bartholomew County or any other county in the state of Indiana,” he said. “I think it’s hard to set statewide standards such as on wind and solar.”
According to officials with the Indiana Association of County Commissioners, 40 of Indiana’s 92 counties have passed or are expected to pass resolutions in opposition to the legislation.
Stephanie Yager, with the Indiana Association of County Commissioners, said the organization is opposed to the legislation.
“We are supportive of renewable energy,” she said. “Our concern is that the bill removes local control for land use decisions.”
The bill is currently before the state senate.