Montgomery County Board Approves Amended Wind and Solar Ordinances Amid Public Concerns

Montgomery County Board Meeting | March 10, 2026

Article Summary: The Montgomery County Board voted to amend its wind and solar energy siting ordinances following significant public comment from residents expressing concerns about property values, prime farmland, and a lack of project transparency from developers.

Wind and Solar Ordinance Update Key Points:

• The Board approved changes to the Wind Energy Conversion Systems ordinance, including a lower maximum fee cap and the removal of Fish & Wildlife Survey requirements.

• The timeline for a developer to start a project was increased from one year to five years.

• The wind ordinance amendment passed with three “no” votes from board members Jeremy Jones, Evan Young, and Russell Beason.

• Multiple residents spoke out against a proposed 100-turbine project by Pattern Energy in the northern part of the county.

The Montgomery County Board on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, approved amendments to the county’s ordinances regulating the siting of wind and solar energy conversion systems, despite significant pushback from local residents regarding a proposed wind turbine development.

The changes were required to align the county’s regulations with the state’s Energy Omnibus bill, which was signed by the Governor on January 8, 2026.

Development and Personnel Committee Chairman Chad Ruppert outlined the specific changes to the Wind Energy Conversion Systems ordinance prior to the vote. According to Ruppert, the state-mandated modifications include a lower maximum fee cap, a strict requirement to conclude any public hearing within 60 days, and the removal of local Fish & Wildlife Survey requirements. Additionally, the updated ordinance increases the timeframe for developers to begin a project from one year to five years.

The Board approved the amended Wind Energy Conversion Systems ordinance in a split vote, with members Jeremy Jones, Evan Young, and Russell Beason voting against the measure.

Immediately following the wind ordinance vote, the Board also approved the amended Montgomery County Ordinance for Solar Energy Farm and Solar Garden Installations in Unincorporated Montgomery County. That measure passed with three dissenting votes from Jones, Connie Beck, and Young.

The legislative updates followed a dedicated public comment period where several rural residents voiced deep frustration with the influx of renewable energy developments, specifically targeting a proposed 100-turbine project by Pattern Energy.

Resident Dan Mulch told the board he was highly concerned about 100 “St. Louis Arch-height” wind turbines slated for the northern end of the county. Mulch expressed resentment over the developer’s tactics, stating that neighbors are being falsely told his family has signed a lease agreement. He requested that the county develop a GIS map of signed leases for the Beacon website to increase transparency, noting that Pattern Energy’s website currently lacks information regarding tower locations and heights.

Jason Goby, a Macoupin County resident in the process of returning to his family farm in Montgomery County, also asked the Board to investigate Pattern Energy. Goby cited the potential for declining property values, the disruption of beautiful scenery, and the loss of prime farmland to the massive structures.

Dionne Manzer, another Montgomery County resident, questioned whether the financial benefits of the turbines outweigh the negative impacts. She noted that her property is already scheduled to be surrounded by a separate solar project, and the wind turbines will now be visible from her home. Manzer cited concerns about the impacts on local bird populations, property values, and rising tensions between neighbors, encouraging board members to speak directly with landowners to gauge the true public sentiment regarding these developments.

Earlier in the month, during the March 2 Development & Personnel Committee meeting, Maggie Pateau of Pattern Energy attended virtually, though the committee ultimately recommended the ordinance changes to the full board. The committee also noted that Pattern Energy had scheduled an aerial raptor nest survey by helicopter for mid-March.