The Knox County Commissioners on Tuesday passed a resolution establishing an Energy Land Use Advisory Committee.

The committee is being created to review and provide recommendations on land use issues related to energy development in the county.

The resolution outlines the county’s authority to regulate land use and states the goal is to guide growth in an orderly way while protecting public health, safety, and economic interests.

The 12-member committee will include representatives from county government, planning, public safety, economic development, soil and water conservation, and one member of the public.

Officials say the group will focus on areas where the county does not currently have ordinances in place, including data centers, wind energy, and other emerging technologies.

The committee will serve in an advisory role, with final decision-making authority remaining with the commissioners and the Area Plan Commission.

Following the vote, commissioners also approved hiring the Indianapolis-based law firm Barnes and Thornburg to assist with land use planning and provide technical support to the committee.

Both measures passed unanimously on a 3-to-0 vote.