LYONS, NEBRASKA – Energy resources are diversifying and many local leaders are taking action to guide their development through siting.
The Center for Rural Affairs recently released a fact sheet that studies wind and solar energy ordinances across Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, and South Dakota.
“Every state approaches siting standards a little bit differently,” said Heather Sparks, policy associate with the Center. “This guide explores those differences while also highlighting broader, regional trends.”
“Changing Clean Energy Ordinances: Analyzing Data from Four Plains States” details the most frequently used standards for siting utility-scale solar and wind energy developments. It covers common provisions found in local energy ordinances, such as setbacks, vegetation management, shadow flicker, road use, and decommissioning.
“Key trends discovered while analyzing this data include an overall increase in the number of counties publishing solar and wind ordinances across all four states,” Sparks said.
Between 2025 and 2026, the percentage of counties with solar ordinances grew by as much as 45% and with wind ordinances as much as 44%.
While the Center has previously published siting recommendations, this new resource covers year over year data, presenting more than two years of siting trends.
“Siting data is valuable to communities,” said Sparks. “Local officials provide technical insights into crafting ordinances that balance community concerns, land owner rights, and economic development benefits.”
To read and download the fact sheet, visit cfra.org/publications.
The American Ag Network is a nationwide radio, digital and multimedia ag news network based in Fargo, ND.

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