Commissioners raise decommissioning depth in proposed zoning rules from 4 to 10 feet

During discussion of proposed Zoning Regulation Section 10.06 the board reviewed the decommissioning requirement for commercial-scale renewable energy projects. The minutes quote the regulation language: "Each commercial-scale renewable energy generation project shall have a Decommissioning Plan outlining the anticipated means and cost of removing the facility... The Decommissioning Plan shall include at a minimum: removal of foundations, buildings, and ancillary equipment to a minimum depth of four feet below grade." After brief discussion, the board changed that minimum to "ten feet below grade."

The change will be incorporated into the proposed regulations and returned as part of the zoning package. The minutes do not show a formal roll-call vote on this specific wording change; the board’s action was recorded as a decision during the discussion of the proposed regulations.