In a surprise development, the Washington Parish Council will consider halting solar farm approvals in the parish on a temporary basis.
The Council has set a special meeting for 4:30 p.m. Thursday (July 9) in the Parish Courthouse to consider a moratorium on the approval of permits for new solar farms and related solar projects.
The Council's decision to consider the issue comes as some residents have been outspoken in their opposition to new solar farms and related energy projects in the parish. A large solar development is currently in the planning stages west of Bogalusa.
Solar farms have been controversial in the parish for several years. Solar projects west of Franklinton led to an organized opposition that later provided heavy support for the parish council's decision to enact a solar project ordinance. Washington Parish's ordinance ultimately became the model for similar ordinances in other Louisiana parishes.
As to whether Thursday's council meeting will actually lead to the approval of a solar project moratorium, a source close to the Council simply said, "Come to the meeting and see." But it is believed that the Council would not have placed the measure on a meeting agenda if it did not have at least a reasonable chance of being approved.
