(KNZA)--The Brown County Commission has approved a resolution that implements a moratorium on commercial wind energy projects in the county for an 18-month period.

The Commission Thursday approved the resolution submitted by County Attorney Kevin Hill on a 2-1 vote. Commissioner Bill Pollock, who voiced concerns about the wording of the resolution, cast the lone dissenting vote.

Commission Chairman Lamar Shoemaker, in making the motion to approve the resolution, said he wanted to get something in place to safeguard the county. Commissioner Rich Lehmkuhl agreed the county needed to get the moratorium in place.

The resolution will take effect after its published in the official county newspaper.

Violation of the resolution would be a Class B misdemeanor punishable by fine of up to $1,000 a day.

The moratorium will allow time for a comprehensive plan to be developed to guide decisions on how to regulate the development of large-scale wind energy projects in the county.