The Pennington County Commission voted 3-2 to advance zoning changes that would ban utility-scale wind and solar projects on agricultural land and prohibit battery storage units.
The amendments also impose new restrictions on personal-use systems, including limits on roof- and ground-mounted solar installations and expanded setback requirements for turbines and panels.
Commissioners Ron Rossknecht and Gary Drewes voted against the changes at the May 19 meeting.
Planning Director Brittney Hand said the ordinance must be re-advertised due to substantial revisions. The commission is scheduled to revisit a first reading June 16, followed by a second reading July 7.
The proposal follows a county task force review and ongoing public debate over renewable energy development, particularly in rural areas.
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