The Greene County Commission met yesterday evening and approved the extension on the moratorium for Solar Energy Systems, Bitcoin Mining, and Wind Farms.
After several meetings, public hearings, and discussions with residents in the county, the moratorium has officially been extended again for 14 months. A study will be done by the end of September to establish the proper restrictions and requirements to protect the public health, safety, and general welfare. Concern from some led to this study and further research, directing the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (TACIR) to perform a study of the overall effects of solar energy.
The commission also approved the proposed National Settlement funds from the Opioid Litigation, which will be deposited into the counties capital projects fund. Funds haven’t been received yet and Finance Director Danny Lowery had to clarify as there was some confusion in regards to the settlements. He explained there are four rounds of settlement funds from the nearly $26 B Opioid Litigation and the county has received 2 of those 4 rounds.
The motion made yesterday was to prepare to receive Round 3 of the settlements. More information will be provided sometime in March on Round 4 funds, which will go towards programs like school education and drugs. According to County Mayor Kevin Morrison, funds will continue to be disbursed in the upcoming years.
Also approved was the use of the American Rescue Plan funding for this fiscal year to the Greeneville Energy Authority. Commission members approved to commit up to $2 M for the implementation of broadband services throughout the county. GEA was awarded more than $8.2 M for the project and the town will be matching those funds, which will bring the total for the project to about $9.5 M.
