Bill > H3568

This bill aims to restrict the development of certain solar energy facilities by prohibiting their qualification for public utility and ratepayer funding under specific environmental and land use conditions. Specifically, the bill targets solar facilities with a nameplate capacity of 500 kilowatts (kW) or larger that are located in environmentally sensitive areas, such as priority wildlife habitats, areas of critical environmental concern, or forest lands. These restrictions would apply to solar facilities that have not received official qualification by January 1, 2025. However, the bill includes important exceptions: solar facilities located on brownfields, eligible landfills, building-mounted installations, or previously developed land would be exempt from these restrictions. The bill requires the Department of Energy Resources and the Department of Public Utilities to amend their existing rules and regulations to implement these prohibitions, effectively preventing public funding and support for solar projects that could potentially damage environmentally significant landscapes or require extensive forest clearing.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H3568