Marion County Commission Bans Wind Energy Systems in Southwest Townships
Commissioners also direct counsel to draft a separate solar energy ban resolution
MARION COUNTY, Kan. — The Marion County Commission voted 3-1 to approve a resolution banning large-scale commercial wind energy systems in several townships in the southwest corner of the county, covering the unincorporated area around Goessel and south of Hillsboro.
Following the vote, commissioners directed County Counselor Michael Smith to draft a separate resolution banning large-scale solar energy projects in the same area. The board opted to handle the wind and solar energy bans as separate measures, passing the wind prohibition immediately while delaying action on solar. Keeping the bans in separate resolutions is intended to protect one measure from being struck down if the other is reconsidered. The solar resolution is expected to come before the commission for a vote at next week's meeting.
The planning and zoning department also announced a work session scheduled for March 24 at the county courthouse to develop permanent regulations for data centers and battery energy storage systems. The county is currently operating under a development moratorium while those rules are drafted.
During a public comment period earlier in the meeting, a local resident warned that artificial intelligence data centers could strain local groundwater supplies, increase rural electrical rates and generate excess noise. Proponents of data center development have disputed those claims. The March 24 work session is open to the public.
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