Moratorium to halt commercial solar projects in Henry County

MT. PLEASANT — The Henry County Board of Supervisors hit pause on new large-scale solar energy and battery storage projects, voting unanimously July 31 to approve a 12-month moratorium intended to give the county time to review and update its zoning rules for alternative energy development.

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Resolution #22-2025 stops any rezoning of land to the county’s Alternate Energy Overlay District for the construction, installation, and operation of commercial solar arrays or battery energy storage systems. The freeze will remain in effect until late Aug. 1, 2026 unless the board lifts it sooner after making ordinance changes. Supervisors also reserved the right to extend the moratorium if more time is needed.

Supervisor Chad White read the resolution into the record, noting that large-scale solar and storage systems “have the potential to create an excessive burden on the county’s infrastructure, the environment, wildlife and nearby property owners.”

The resolution further states that these projects may “affect the character and appropriate land use of the surrounding area,” and that any application should align with the intent of Henry County’s zoning ordinance.

“We wanted this in place prior to removing the moratorium on wind,” Supervisor Marc Lindeen said.

According to Lindeen, the board plans to remove the moratorium on wind at their next meeting on Thursday, Aug. 07. The wind moratorium went into effect April 2, 2024 and was extended Jan. 30, 2025.

While this solar energy moratorium is in place, the Henry County Board of Supervisors plan to continue discussions about what guidance would best serve the county concerning solar energy moving forward.

Supervisor Steve Detrick said he has gathered feedback from Louisa County officials, Access Energy Cooperative, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service, among others.

“So got good information, good feedback that I've shared,” he said. “So, as we have our work sessions, we can get a little more into some of the basics, but that ties back into what we're doing to here with the moratorium.”

White also stated that he has reached out to individuals he considers experts in this field such as former Mt. Pleasant Municipal Utilities General Manager Jack Hedgecock.

During the July 31 discussion preceding the vote, Lindeen invited the public to ask questions and give feedback.

Melanie Patton, a Henry County resident and member of Henry County Watchmen, asked why a paragraph referencing the county’s comprehensive plan — included in the version White read — was not in the final resolution displayed on the screen. Henry County Assistant Attorney Steve Giebelhausen explained that the paragraph was part of a previous draft and had been removed before the final vote.

Detrick assured Patton and others that the comprehensive plan remains a guiding factor: “We will keep it on the high-top midst of our priorities.”

The Henry County Board of Supervisors invites public participation as the county moves forward, noting that the 2017 comprehensive plan is currently being updated. That process will include multiple public input sessions to gather resident feedback on commercial solar projects and other land use issues.

In the months ahead, supervisors plan to coordinate with Planning and Zoning Administrator Joe Buffington, technical experts, and outside consultants to refine the county’s approach to solar and battery energy storage systems. The goal, board members said, is to adopt regulations that protect rural character and infrastructure while providing clear guidance to developers.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com