On February 29, 2024, Executive Director Michael Sanderson testified before the House Economic Matters Committee in support of HB 1328- Solar Energy and Energy Storage- Development and State Procurement with amendments. This bill authorizes counties to create a conservation and restoration fund and establishes the Utility-Scale Solar Design and Siting Commission in the Power Plant Research Program to provide recommendations on land conservation and solar energy development.
While counties agree in the approach of HB 1328 and are keen to remain productive and active stakeholders around renewable energy more generally, there are several parts of the current legislation which cause considerable concern.
From MACo Testimony:
For several months in the lead up to the 2024 General Assembly legislative session, MACo, the Maryland Municipal League (MML), the Maryland League of Conservation Voters (LCV), several agencies within the Administration, conservation organizations, representatives of solar industry, and other stakeholders were engaged in intense negotiations regarding legislation that would provide certainty, guardrails, and incentives for all stakeholders in meeting the state's solar energy goals. These negotiations came close to reaching a consensus package, until unexpectedly, representatives of solar industry walked away from the table to pursue alternatives to fully remove any community input from siting projects (HB1046/SB1025). In the hopes of building off months of work, the bill sponsors and several stakeholders agreed that a more formal process led by a mutually respected and neutral party merits full consideration. Counties share in this conclusion and welcome a balanced and deliberative process led by the Power Plant Research Program within the Department of Natural Resources.
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