Putnam County Commissioners vote in favor of moratorium on solar farms

Weeks after the Putnam County Commissioners heard from citizens about a proposed solar farm that was voted down, residents again showed up Monday morning to have their voices heard.

About 100 residents packed into and around the Commissioner's room in the Putnam County Courthouse Monday, urging commissioners to vote in favor of a one year moratorium on solar farms, as well as data centers, wind energy systems, solar energy conservation systems. 

When the dust settled, the commissioners voted 2-1 in favor of the moratorium, which will be in place until Nov. 17, 2026. Commissioners Andy Beck and Tom Helmer voted in favor, while Rick Woodall was against. 

Beck said that coming out of the recent debates surrounding the proposed solar farm in the Cloverdale area of the county, as well as what else could, potentially, come to Putnam County, now was the perfect time to take a deeper look at the county's Unified Development Ordinance, which sets specific parameters on solar development. 

"I think when we get something that will be set in stone, it will make it easier for everyone. If someone applies and they apply for everything we have set up, there won't be a need for all these great debates that we have had. It is something we need to look into with new technology coming in all the time with data centers, and we need to address it," Beck said. 

County Attorney Jim Ensley said a lot of time was spent developing the UDO through public meetings and a lot of input was received.

"With an ordinance like that, like any ordinance, it is tough to address every single little thing. Every case is going to have different particularities. That's why you as the board can suggest different commitments and say you are not going to approve it unless a, b, c, and d," Ensley said. 

Attorney Eddie Felling, who has been vocal against solar farms in Putnam County, urged the commissioners again to remember they represent the citizens, who have already been vocal against solar farms. 

"Obviously, we have been fighting this battle for quite a while now. I am confused and I know a lot of people here are confused why we are back here considering the issue at this point, but I ask that you remember your job is to represent the interest of the people of Putnam County. I don't think there is any question that the vast majority of people in this community are opposed to solar projects. I think there are a lot of questions that need answered as far as the UDO. I'd ask that you hold to your word and do your job representing the people, and put the moratorium in place. 

The commissioners heard from several others in favor of the moratorium, as well as Paul Cummings, who spoke out against the moratorium. 

Cummings, Senior Vice President of Development at EnergyRe, is again looking to bring a proposed solar farm to Cloverdale. Cummings told the commissioners and those in attendance that EnergyRe has revised its plan and submitted another proposal, this time for 150 megawatt project. 

"I am here to respectfully, but firmly, oppose the proposed moratorium on solar. Our solar project is currently under review and I appreciate that it will continue," Cummings said. 

Cummings noted EnergyRe had submitted a revised application recently and took into consideration some of the concerns that were mentioned last month when commissioners voted 2-1 against the project.

"We increased the setbacks, increased the solar dividend and cut the project in half. Throughout the entire process, we have met the ordinance as it was put into place, clearly. There are two projects that were denied that clearly met the ordinance as it was put into place. There was plenty of time after the first one to revise the ordinance, but it wasn't done. We were going above and beyond and our commitments were several pages long. We put those in. We spent a year sending eight letters saying come talk to us, how will this fit and we didn't... there's a clear ordinance with a clear standard. When you start looking at that sort of a pattern, you start to think what is the sense of having a zoning ordinance. It becomes what you call exclusionary zoning or a defacto moratorium," Cummings said.

Cummings said as a result, there are ethical and legal questions.

"We have people who are concerned to participate in county government activities because of intimidation and bullying by certain members of the commission. Those sorts of things chill the county's participation and make you wonder at a high level what is the rule of law. We appreciate that. Doing a moratorium now, clouds that. We've instituted 500 foot setbacks from homes. Most homes are by 1,000 feet. There's no homes with solar on more than two sides now at this point. We have two months and that is a good time to see how we make this work for everyone. We hear you guys talk about how you don't have any money for anything over and over, like no money for bridges and no money for 911. We want to bring money to Putnam County, and this is a way to do it," Cummings said. 

A resident asked Cummings if EnergyRe is willing to work with the county now, why did the organization file five and a half weeks after being told no by the commissioners. 

"Why are you trying to sneak it in, and in the filing, it says this is phase one," the resident asked.

Cummings said it was an excellent question and said EnergyRe did not know about the moratorium.

"We had to react to that to keep our place. We have spent millions of dollars and didn't have a choice. We had to get something in to keep it or we are out a year. There is time to discuss it now between now and January 12 when we go before the Plan Commission. We have time to sit down and talk about what can make this better. That is what I would prefer, for people to come meet with us," Cummings said.