Solar rules certified Tues.

The Sweetwater County commissioners approved and certified changes to the county’s zoning codes related to solar farms Tuesday morning.

The codes were subject to a 45-day comment period. According to Eric Bingham, director of the county’s land use department, the county did not receive comments on the regulations.

The changed codes force developers to approach and seek comment from area mines if the development would be placed upon land zoned for mining. It would also force developers to seek and incorporate comments from state and federal agencies, such as the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, into potential solar developments.

At the meeting, Michele Irwin, a county resident, spoke in favor of the added regulations. She also said she wants the commissioners and the county’s planning and zoning board to think about uses beyond industrial when considering development proposals.

“There are better ways than building them in large swaths like the Sweetwater Solar project,” she said.

The new regulations come in time for a second solar farm proposal. Mark Kot, the county’s public lands specialist, said the recent permit applications for Raven Solar are likely being done as the Wyoming Legislature is set to consider placing solar developments under the Industrial Siting Council, which would give stakeholders more input into the development.