PPH - Solar and wind developers must pay extra to build on farmland. The question is, how much?

As demand grows for solar projects, the Legislature directed that rules be drawn up to govern compensation paid by solar developers to boost farmland conservation.

August 20, 2024

Stephen Singer

Press Herald

EXCERPTS

If developers of solar and wind projects want to build on Maine farmland, they soon will have to pay an extra fee.

A state law enacted last year requires such developers to pay into a fund that helps mitigate the environmental impacts of the project or conserve farmland elsewhere in Maine. It’s meant to protect agriculture while also advancing the state’s clean energy goals.

Now, officials are trying to decide how much developers should pay.

The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry has drafted rules detailing how the law will be enforced, establishing a permitting structure for renewable energy developments built on “high-value agricultural land.”........................................

................The public comment period will end Aug. 29 and if changes are needed, another public hearing will be scheduled, a DACF spokesman said.

The rules define high-value land, as verified by a field-based survey, to comprise 1 or more contiguous acres of prime farmland or 1 or more contiguous acres of land designated as locally valuable farmland that is not occupied by a residential, commercial or industrial use that will “substantially reduce” agricultural potential....................

The full article can be read at https://www.pressherald.com/2024/08/20/solar-and-wind-developers-mu...

Solar developers take aim at farmland protection rule

Maine Public | By Peter McGuire
Published August 19, 2024

The department will accept comments on the proposed rule until August 29. Unless the department decides to make significant changes, the rule could go into effect in September, a department spokesperson said.

Full article at https://www.mainepublic.org/climate/2024-08-19/solar-developers-tak...

Maine wants your opinion on protecting farmland from solar farms

by Elizabeth Walztoni
Solar companies in Maine already struggle to get projects up and running, and new restrictions could make the issue worse, said Chris Byers, owner of developer Branch Renewable Energy.
“I’m afraid this is going to result not only in a loss of solar opportunity, but ultimately a loss of Maine ratepayers to save money,” Byers said.
It was perplexing, Byers added, that the regulations specifically targeted solar panels, not housing or other development that would also disrupt valuable land.
Critics said discouraging development on farmland would significantly narrow the suitable land for solar energy production.
The rule could also hurt farmers who regard solar as a lifeline to avoid financial collapse, according to advocates at the meeting.
Making the process harder and more expensive could actually put working farms at risk, said Julie Ann Smith from the Maine Farmers Coalition. It didn’t seem like the rule was designed to help for farmers and landowners, she added.

Article continues at https://www.bangordailynews.com/2024/08/20/politics/state-politics/...

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