If it’s easier for solar plants to site in Oregon, it could keep energy costs lower and it could better ensure there is plenty of energy to meet future demand.

But what about the competing goals?

Oregon has tight restrictions on development outside of cities. It has restrictions on protecting farmland. There are worries about protecting wildlife, views, cultural resources and more.

The Oregon Legislature directed the Land Conservation and Development Commission to consider new rules. And the committee working on the rules updated the commission last month.

The committee wants more time. The conflicting goals aren’t easy to reconcile.

The most significant issue may be the idea of allowing counties flexibility with the proposed rules. Perhaps, counties could opt in or opt out. It’s a nod to the idea that county governments may know better what’s best for their county. It also may completely undermine the goal of creating more flexibility.

If the goal is more flexibility for siting solar facilities, flexibility in which counties must be more flexible may kill it.