Moratorium on future solar projects will be drafted in LaPorte County - WSBT-TV

Moratorium on future solar projects will be drafted in LaPorte County

LAPORTE COUNTY, Ind. (WSBT) — Future solar projects in LaPorte County could be impacted by a moratorium being drafted by the county plan commission.

This comes as public meetings shed light on numerous concerns from the public regarding the Bluestem Solar Farm.

The proposed 2,600 acre project, Bluestem, has been met with pushback. If approved, it would be one of Indiana's largest solar operations.

Residents have raised concerns about the potential loss of farmland and disruption of local wildlife, leaving officials looking at potential changes to the existing solar ordinance for future projects.

"We’re looking at strengthening the decommissioning bond, so lengthening the time period for perpetuity of the project, performance bonds for any screening plans that they have. That way, you know, if things die off, you know, in 5, 10, 15 years there’s a performance in place to make sure they can get repaired or replaced, or whatever the case may be," said Joe Haney, ( R ) LaPorte County Commissioner.

Tuesday night, LaPorte County Plan Commissioner members voted 7-2 to draft the moratorium. That could be months from now.

The potential moratorium on solar projects will not impact the current Bluestem project because Bluestem is already in process.

Only future solar projects have the potential of being impacted by the proposed moratorium.

Officials say they plan to hold special meetings to discuss ordinance language and to stay on track with state and notice requirements.

The moratorium would also give the public more opportunities to have their voices heard.