Allowing counties and municipalities to limit utility scale renewable energy facilities

SB 560 allows West Virginia counties and municipalities to adopt local ordinances restricting where utility-scale renewable energy facilities (defined as wind or solar projects ≥5 megawatts sold to the grid) can be built. These local rules can limit facility locations, set setbacks from homes and schools, restrict facility size/height, require environmental mitigation, and mandate land restoration after decommissioning. The bill explicitly states these local restrictions do not override federal or state requirements. It directly affects renewable energy developers seeking to build large-scale projects in rural areas, while counties and towns gain new authority to address community concerns like property values, farmland impacts, and scenic views.