McLean Planning & Zoning board agrees to green energy moratorium
McLean County News|Michele Lohman|Mar 19, 2026
The McLean County Fiscal Court drafted a moratorium on wind energy construction to allow time for research, with the possibility of adjusting the duration based on findings. This decision follows a similar action in Henderson County. The draft was sent to the McLean County Planning & Zoning Commission, which supported the moratorium and scheduled a public hearing to gather community input before finalizing the ordinance.
The McLean County Fiscal Court drafted a moratorium on wind energy construction to allow time for research, with the possibility of adjusting the duration based on findings. This decision follows a similar action in Henderson County. The draft was sent to the McLean County Planning & Zoning Commission, which supported the moratorium and scheduled a public hearing to gather community input before finalizing the ordinance.
At its March 12 meeting, members of the McLean County Fiscal Court voted to send a rough draft of a moratorium ordinance to the McLean County Planning & Zoning Commission concerning the construction of windmills in the county.
McLean County Attorney Donna Dant said that the purpose of the moratorium is to give Fiscal Court more time to research the issue before coming to a decision on if a final ordinance is necessary.
The moratorium drafted by Fiscal Court provides a period of one year in order to complete the research, which Dant said can be extended or shortened depending on available research.
Last month, officials in Henderson County passed a moratorium on wind energy products, and McLean County Judge-Executive Curtis Dame said that …
... more [truncated due to possible copyright]At its March 12 meeting, members of the McLean County Fiscal Court voted to send a rough draft of a moratorium ordinance to the McLean County Planning & Zoning Commission concerning the construction of windmills in the county.
McLean County Attorney Donna Dant said that the purpose of the moratorium is to give Fiscal Court more time to research the issue before coming to a decision on if a final ordinance is necessary.
The moratorium drafted by Fiscal Court provides a period of one year in order to complete the research, which Dant said can be extended or shortened depending on available research.
Last month, officials in Henderson County passed a moratorium on wind energy products, and McLean County Judge-Executive Curtis Dame said that he would like to watch how Henderson handles the issue before making a final determination on what's best for the county.
The draft of the moratorium traveled to the McLean County Planning & Zoning Commission (MCPC) on Tuesday night.
Members of the MCPC engaged in a direct discussion concerning green energy projects, such as windmills, solar farms and battery storage facilities, deciding to side with the recommendation from Fiscal Court, that a moratorium is currently needed so county officials can research the project more extensively before drafting any ordinances governing the construction of wind energy products within the county.
Members of the Commission set a date for a public hearing on the matter, the next step in determining the future of wind energy products within the county, which was set for 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 9, at the McLean County Courthouse in the Fiscal Courtroom.
The public hearing provides members of the community the opportunity to voice their opinions and concerns regarding the issue. Comments from the public hearing will be used by the Committee when considering the verbiage in the moratorium before the draft heads to Fiscal Court for the final approval process.
Planning & Zoning Committee members also decided to open public discussion concerning possible revisions to existing ordinances governing solar energy at the public hearing next month.
Once the wording on the moratorium is approved by the Planning & Zoning Committee, it will return to Fiscal Court for final approval.