Steering committee public meetings show strong opposition to renewable energy; county moratorium renewal set for Aug. 7

Keith County officials reported strong public turnout and pronounced opposition to renewable energy at recent town-hall meetings tied to the county's comprehensive planning process.

Cody, a county planner, told the board that five meetings have occurred and that turnout at two locations reached about 40 attendees. Staff described the public-feedback process using poster charts where attendees placed two sticky dots to indicate preferences on topics including renewable energy; organizers tracked repeat attendees and asked returning participants not to re-mark to avoid duplicate responses. Commissioners and steering-committee members said some poster responses to questions about renewable energy were overwhelmingly opposed, sometimes exceeding 90 percent against.

County leaders discussed regulatory options and limits. A steering-committee member said county authority can regulate land use but cannot "stop illegal activity," and that any setbacks or restrictions need a defensible factual basis if the county sets specific distances, such as a five-mile setback from lakes or migratory areas.

The board noted the existing county one-year moratorium on renewable-energy permits expires Aug. 7. That renewal will appear on the planning commission agenda for either another 12-month extension or until adoption of the county comprehensive plan and related regulations, whichever occurs first. Commissioners discussed steering-committee recommendations, potential legal exposure from a total ban, and the need for legal review if the county moves toward strict restrictions.

Commissioners emphasized the steering committeeand staff-driven effort to gather input from EMS, law enforcement, realtors and other stakeholder groups. County staff said outreach included requests to the University of Nebraska extension for impartial technical presentations at public events.

Board members asked the planning staff to bring the moratorium renewal to the planning commission and to the board as required, and to develop regulation language grounded in documented reasons for any numerical setbacks or limitations.