COUNTIES-WIND & SOLAR ENERGY
The bill reaffirms local authority by enabling counties to establish their own standards regarding the siting and operational conditions of commercial wind and solar facilities. If a county has specific zoning ordinances, they can enforce these as long as they do not contradict Section 5-12020 standards. This shift is viewed positively by supporters who believe it enhances local control, allowing communities to better assess their own land use and energy needs whilst potentially optimizing local resource utilization and development standards.
House Bill 4422 amends the Counties Code of Illinois pertaining to commercial wind energy and solar energy facilities. The bill primarily seeks to overturn certain changes made by Public Act 102-1123, allowing pre-existing county zoning ordinances regarding wind farms and solar facilities to remain in effect even after the implementation of new laws. Specifically, it ensures that any relevant zoning ordinances that were operational before January 27, 2023, can continue without being affected by the recent amendments, thus preserving local governance over certain energy facility regulations.
Despite its intent to empower local governments, the bill has drawn criticism from various environmental and community advocates. They argue that it could lead to inconsistencies in the regulation of energy facilities across different counties, possibly compromising environmental protections and public health standards. Opponents are particularly concerned that if counties adopt lax regulations, this could lead to unchecked development, resulting in harm to local ecosystems and diminished quality of life for residents adjacent to these energy installations. Additionally, there are fears that it may encourage a race to the bottom in terms of environmental compliance.