Two St. Joseph County Council members call for solar moratorium

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. -- On Friday, St. Joseph County Council members Randy Figg and Amy Drake sent out a joint statement requesting the council agree to a solar moratorium, which would stop the development of any solar power sites in the county. 

Drake and Figg say the statement comes in response to the 2,500-acre solar farm that is currently being considered.

You can read the entire statement below:

"As the solar panel debate heats up in North Liberty -- as a direct result of the 2,500- acre solar industrial complex being considered there -- we are requesting that our area plan commission put forward a solar moratorium. Wide-scale solar installations are relatively new to our area, and we feel that we must take a pause and put thoughtful consideration into how projects like these affect our community.

"Many other counties all over the state are either putting forward or considering solar moratoriums for identical reasons. Area plan on Tuesday will consider new solar protections already on their way through the legislative process, which can provide us with a baseline of protection. We encourage area plan to both pass through these new rules with a favorable recommendation -- and put forward a solar moratorium so we can thoughtfully consider any additional safeguards we need to put into place."

The council holds public hearing on issues at 6 p.m. on the second Tuesday of every month at the County - City Building at 227 W. Jefferson Blvd. in Room 411.