After public testimony about a recent solar-site fire and unanswered questions about battery-storage risks and first-responder training, the Pennington County Commission continued proposed amendments to Section 3-17 (alternative energy systems) to May 19 to allow staff to add battery-storage rules and emergency-response provisions.

County commissioners heard hours of testimony on a proposed ordinance regulating large solar and wind projects; Department of Equalization explained how nameplate and production taxes flow to county and school funds and how that affects state aid. The board continued the hearing to Dec. 16 and scheduled public forums.

The Pennington County Planning Commission approved conditional-use permit reviews for Yarrow Techs utility-scale energy projects (COCUR24-0022 and COCUR24-0023) after a company update and extended public comment. The company said it had established a federal tax-credit "safe harbor," resolved a transmission right-of-way issue with the regional and