This ordinance is to advance and protect the public health, safety, morals, comfort, and general welfare of Macon County and its residents by creating regulations for the installation and use of battery energy storage systems (BESS), with the following objectives: 

1. To provide a regulatory scheme for the designation of properties suitable for the location, construction, and operation of any BESS;
2. To ensure compatible land uses in the vicinity of the areas affected by any BESS;
3. To mitigate the impacts of any BESS on environmental resources such as important agricultural lands, forests, wetlands, wildlife, and other protected lands and resources; and
4. To create synergy between BESS development and other goals of Macon County and its comprehensive plan

A draft of the ordinance is now available.