Spark Alerts: Feb 4, 2025

The latest Distributed Generation news, RFPs and program policy updates at your fingertips

February 04, 2025

Feb 4, 2025 Issue

Distributed Generation news, RFPs and program policy updates

Note: This is a proof of concept for Spark Alerts, focusing on Illinois community solar, then on New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. Please help us improve by sharing your feedback with us!

Illinois Community Solar

📰 Market & Development News

Amoracia Solar - Madison County SUP Hearing
Developer: Armoracia Solar, LLC
AHJ: Madison County
February 4, 2025: The Madison County Building & Zoning Committee held a hearing for a Special Use Permit to construct a commercial solar energy facility. This request is under scrutiny as it would be developed on residentially zoned land, which has seen previous applications denied. The revised proposal aims for a smaller installation of 5MW. The Zoning Board recommended denial of the SUP.
—

Chicago and Illinois Remain Committed to Achieving Climate Goals Despite Threats to Federal Funding
February 1, 2025: Despite facing uncertainty around the future of federal climate funding due to potential policy changes under former President Trump's orders, Chicago officials remain committed to reaching its carbon reduction goals through local efforts and funding clean energy projects.

📢 Policy & Programs

  • SB1457- COUNTY WIND/SOLAR REGULATION

    • Would prohibit a county from approving a solar project in an unincorporated area within 3 miles of a municipality unless the municipality grants approval.

    • Republican-sponsored.

    • First reading 1/31/25, referred to Assignments.

  • SB0023- AUDIT-IPA RENEWABLE

    • Provides that in 2025, 2030, 2035, 2040, and 2045, the Auditor General will conduct a performance audit of the Illinois Power Agency’s implementation of the Renewable Portfolio Standard and Adjustable Block program and will provide program recommendations.

    • Added Republican co-sponsor Sen. Li Arellano, Jr. on 1/28.

East Coast: MD, NY, PA, VA

📰 Market & Development News

Maryland

Public Meeting on 4.0 MW Solar Plant in Montgomery County
Developer: Chaberton Solar
AHJ: Montgomery County
February 4, 2025: A public hearing will be held on February 4, 2025, regarding a proposed 4.0 MW community solar project by Chaberton Solar Sugarloaf I, LLC, in Montgomery County. This project d will occupy approximately 16 acres of a 53-acre parcel in Dickerson.
—

Public Comment Hearing for 5.0 MW Solar Plant in Prince George's County
Developer: Croom Road Solar, LLC
AHJ: Prince George’s
February 3, 2025: A public comment hearing was held on February 3, 2025, regarding a proposed 5.0 MW solar plant by Croom Road Solar, LLC in Prince George's County. This hearing follows an application for a CPCN submitted to the Maryland Public Service Commission. The project will occupy a portion of a 40-acre site that was previously an unpermitted sand and gravel mine. Public comments are open until February 7.
—

Walmart investing in 74 rooftop community solar projects
Developer: Solar Landscape
February 3, 2025: Walmart is investing in 74 rooftop solar projects across Maryland and Illinois in collaboration with Solar Landscape, with most projects expected to be operational by the end of 2025.

New York

Environmental groups launch coalition to pressure Hochul on cap-and-invest
January 30, 2025: A coalition of environmental groups is urging Gov. Kathy Hochul to move forward with New York's cap-and-invest program, which would limit greenhouse gas emissions by major companies and fund climate resiliency projects through the sale of emission allowances. Although Hochul did not provide detailed plans for the program during her recent address, activists are pressing for immediate action.
—

Solar project planned for Brasher and Massena
Developer: Boralex US Development LLC
AHJ: St. Lawrence County
January 31, 2025: Boralex has filed an application for the Two Rivers Solar project, which aims to generate 200MW on 1,000 acres. To proceed, Boralex must secure a siting permit from NY's Office of Renewable Energy Siting. The construction phase could potentially begin in late 2025, with full operation expected by 2028.
—

Town of Dunkirk delays solar project decision
Developer: Solar Liberty Energy Systems, Inc.
AHJ: Town of Dunkirk
February 3, 2025: The Town of Dunkirk is delaying a decision on a proposed 3.75MW solar project by Solar Liberty Energy Systems, Inc. Public hearings have been held but no resolution has been reached, as the town continues to assess the project's SUP and variance requests. Community concerns have been raised regarding potential impact on agricultural resources.
—

Public Hearing on Solar Project and Financial Assistance
Developer: Allegany CSG 2 LLC
AHJ: Allegany County
January 31, 2025: The Allegany County Industrial Development Agency is holding a public hearing on February 13, 2025, to discuss a proposed project by Allegany CSG 2 LLC, which includes constructing a 3.3 MWac community solar project on 234.98 acres in Rushford.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania governor rolls out plan to fast-track and subsidize power plants, hydrogen projects
January 30, 2025: Governor Josh Shapiro announced plans to fast-track the construction of large-scale energy projects, including solar, to address the state's energy challenges . His proposal includes offering tax breaks for projects that generate clean power and streamlining permitting processes through the creation of a new energy board. Details on the program have not yet been finalized.
—

Cumberland Township tables board action regarding Straban solar energy farm project
Developer: SolAmerica Energy
AHJ: Cumberland Township
February 2, 2025: Cumberland Township supervisors have delayed a decision on the Adams Miller Solar Development project to allow for review. The proposed solar farm spans 123 acres and is primarily located in Straban Township, with a small part impacting Cumberland. Community members expressed concerns over the developer's plans being rushed before new regulations took effect in early 2024. Independent engineers have also identified major deficiencies in the proposal.
—

DEP Encourages Feedback on Solar Project
Developer: Penn Renewables, LLC/Forest Sixty Six I, LLC
AHJ: Jenkins Township
January 31, 2025: The PA Department of Environmental Protection is encouraging public feedback on a solar facility permit within the high-quality Scott Run watershed in Jenkins Township.

Virginia

Fate of solar bill remains unclear after Senate debate, vote reversal
February 3, 2025: The fate of Virginia's SB 1190 remains uncertain after a heated Senate debate and a late reversal of an earlier vote to kill it. The bill would offer technical assistance to localities for large solar projects while ensuring local governments maintain decision-making authority. The bill will be reconsidered Tuesday, the last day before crossover in the General Assembly.

Savion plans a 90MW solar farm in Nelson County
Developer: Savion
AHJ: Nelson County
February 2, 2025: Savion has submitted plans to construct a solar farm, Wild Rose Solar, in southern Nelson County. This project aims to produce 90MW of power and will cover approximately 470 acres.

📢 Policy & Programs

Maryland

New York

  • S4124

    • Establishes a state do-not-contact registry for solar solicitors.

    • Introduced in Senate 2/3, referred to Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee.

  • S4126

    • Provides a “period of probable usefulness” for solar arrays and panels.

    • Introduced in Senate 2/3, referred to Senate Local Government Committee.

  • S4158

    • Aligns utility regulation with state climate justice and emission reduction targets; strong focus on natural gas transition.

    • Introduced in Senate 2/3, referred to Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee.

  • S4272

    • Provides for direct-pay tax abatement credits for solar electric generating systems and electric energy storage systems in connection with eligible buildings.

    • Introduced in Senate 2/3, referred to Senate Cities 1 Committee.

  • A4080

    • Requires every residential lease to provide conspicuous notice of the availability of community solar for tenant needs.

    • Introduced in Assembly 1/31, referred to Assembly Judiciary Committee.

  • A4107

    • Provides small businesses with grants to commercialize energy and environmental technology innovations in-state

    • Introduced in Assembly 1/31, referred to Assembly Small Business Committee.

  • S4061

    • Permits and encourages state owned parking facilities to install solar canopies in any parking facility.

    • Introduced in Senate 1/31, referred to Senate Procurement and Contracts Committee.

  • S4066

    • Enacts the "omnibus renewable energy progress act", requires state operations to use 100% renewable electricity by 2030.

    • Introduced in Senate 1/31, referred to Senate Investigations and Government Operations Committee.

  • S4077

    • Establishes an abatement and exemption from real property taxes for capital improvements to reduce carbon emissions.

    • Introduced in Senate 1/31, referred to Senate Local Government Committee.

  • S4086

    • Provides net revenues from utility-owned large-scale renewable generation projects to low-income customers and authorizes utility companies to own such projects.

    • Introduced in Senate 1/31, referred to Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee.

  • S2086

    • Increase the state energy storage capacity to 6GW by 2030.

    • Introduced 1/15, referred to Senate Energy Committee

    • Committee voted 6-2 to approve on 1/28.

    • Advanced to third Senate reading on 2/3.

  • S2482/A3561

    • Creates an act to assist school districts in converting to renewable energy as a primary energy source.

    • Introduced 1/21 referred to Senate Energy Committee

    • Committee voted 8-1 to approve on 1/28.

    • Advanced to third Senate reading on 2/3.

Virginia

  • HB2037- Solar canopies

    • Provides that any locality may include in its land development ordinances a provision that requires that an applicant must install a solar canopy over designated parking areas. Applies only to nonresidential parking areas with 100 parking spaces or more.

    • Introduced 1/7.

    • Passed House 64-32 on 1/30.

    • Referred to Senate Committee on Local Government 1/31.

  • HB1883- Renewable energy portfolio standard program requirements.

    • Amends RPS requirements for Dominion Energy Virginia, including the annual percentage of program requirements to be met with BTM clean energy sources of 3MW or less. Also removes the requirement for a solar or wind facility to have a capacity of no less than 50kw to qualify for a third party PPA.

    • Introduced 1/6.

    • Passed House 96-0 on 1/29.

    • Referred to Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor 1/30.

  • HB2113- Solar Interconnection Grant Fund and Program

    • Establishes the Solar Interconnection Grant Fund and Program for the purpose of awarding grants on a competitive basis to public bodies to offset costs associated with the interconnection of solar facilities to the grid.

    • Introduced 1/7, passed House Labor and Commerce Committee 1/14, moved to House Appropriations Committee 1/22.

    • Passed House 68-30 on 2/4.

  • SB1190- Va. Energy Facility Review Board & Virginia Clean Energy Technical Assistance Center

    • Establishes the Virginia Energy Facility Review Board for the purposes of conducting critical interconnection reviews, conducting analysis and study policy options, reviewing regional energy plans, local comprehensive plans, and local solar and storage ordinances, and facilitating the responsible siting of critical interconnection projects in the Commonwealth.

    • Significant regulatory oversight for municipalities.

    • Introduced in Senate 1/8, passed 39-1 on 1/30, engrossed by Senate 1/31.

    • Defeated in Senate 19-20 on 2/3.

    • Will be reconsidered in Senate- vote deferred on 2/4.

Questions or feedback? Just reply to this email!

Learn and search more on Spark AI