Residents press Pulaski County commission for transparency on solar projects amid fiscal estimates

During the Pulaski County Commission’s public comment period, two residents urged clearer planning and public transparency around large-scale solar development and cited fiscal estimates they said county leaders should weigh before approving more projects.

Lisa Dan, Midwest outreach director for the Center for Energy Education, told commissioners that counties are facing rising costs after recent state policy changes and that energy development agreements can be a significant source of revenue. She said, according to an analysis prepared by the Office of Fiscal Management and Analysis within the Legislative Services Agency, "an estimate ... estimates a potential loss in tax revenue of approximately $707,000 to $1,200,000 annually from '26 through '28." Dan also said Indiana currently imports roughly "13–16%" of its power from other states and that statewide power demand is expected to more than double by 2035, arguing those factors support active planning on renewable siting and local agreements.

Dan said she understood the county's plan commission had recommended a moratorium while the county studies siting and regulatory issues, and she added that projects with existing development agreements and tax abatements would not be affected by that moratorium, as described in her remarks. She offered to follow up with commissioners and staff by email.

Sherry Wagner, who identified herself as living in Pulaski County, praised the effort to update the county's UDO but asked what the county's "endgame" is for hosting solar acreage. Wagner said the county currently has "more acres in solar than we do people in this county" and pressed commissioners to put current project contracts and locations on a public-facing GIS map so residents can see what is under contract and where projects are sited. She said the county has had several years to create such a public resource and said she plans to seek placement on a future agenda if the map is not produced.

With no additional public commenters, the chair moved to adjourn and Wagner seconded the motion. The commission approved adjournment by a voice vote; the transcript records the chair calling for ayes and a single "Aye" but does not include a roll-call tally or further recorded votes.

The meeting record in the transcript did not specify a date for a potential formal action on any moratorium or the detailed contents of the referenced analysis beyond the figures Dan cited. "07/2001," as referenced in the public comment, was not defined in the transcript and is recorded here as stated by the speaker.