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- Spark Alerts: Feb 28, 2025
Spark Alerts: Feb 28, 2025
The latest Distributed Generation news and program policy updates at your fingertips
Feb 28, 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
Carbondale Approves 3.6 Megawatt Solar Farm Application
Developer: East Walnut Street Community Energy Initiative
AHJ: City of Carbondale
February 25, 2025: The Carbondale City Council approved a Special Use Permit for the East Walnut Street Community Energy Initiative LLC to establish a 3.6 Megawatt solar farm located in the LI - Light Industrial zoning district. The approval includes specific conditions, such as submitting an executed Agricultural Impact Mitigation Agreement before proceeding with construction.
—Solar Farm on Pleasant Ridge Turned Down By Madison County Board
Developer: Amoracia Solar
AHJ: Madison County
February 25, 2025: The Madison County Board recently voted against a proposed solar farm on Pleasant Ridge. The land was previously zoned agricultural, but had recently been rezoned into a residential area. Amoracia Solar appealed the decision with the Board, arguing there was no legal basis to the denial, but the denial was upheld.
—Senator Rezin Gives Congressional Update on Renewable Energy
February 26, 2025: In a recent update, State Senator Sue Rezin (R-38) discussed energy initiatives in Illinois. She stated that while solar and wind are important, they cannot sufficiently support the energy demands from growing sectors like AI and manufacturing, and indicated a greater focus on small modular nuclear power in the coming years.
—Pending Zoning Petitions Overview
AHJ: Kane County
February 27, 2025: Kane County has a pending ordinance revision introduced on February 25, outlining specific requirements for solar projects in the county. This includes requirements for SUP applications, operations, and decommissioning plans.
📢 Policy & Programs
HB3758/SB2497- BATTERY STORAGE
Would set 15-GW energy storage target and set up a state VPP program.
Introduced 2/18, referred to House Rules Committee
HB1834- SELF-DIRECT ENERGY CREDITS
Would remove the requirement for the Illinois Power Agency to annually determine the amount of utility-scale RECs it will include each year from the self-direct RPS compliance program. Provides that the self-direct credit amount for each REC supplied shall be determined annually and is equal to the volumetric charge collected under a provision in the Public Utilities Act. Provides that the approved self-direct credit amount shall be multiplied by each renewable energy credit procured by participating self-direct customers for up to 100% of the self-direct customer's annual consumption.
Introduced 1/29, referred to Rules Committee.
UPDATE- moved to Public Utilities Committee on 2/25.
SB2387- AGRICULTURAL LAND CONSERVATION ACT
Would pay lessees for any agricultural land removed from production to develope a solar farm.
Introduced in Senate 2/7, referred to Assignments Committee.
UPDATE- added new co-sponsor Sen. Patrick J. Joyce on 2/26.
East Coast: MD, NY, PA, VA
📰 Market & Development News
Maryland
Residents challenge Millington solar project over zoning, health risks
Developer: Turning Point Energy
AHJ: Kent County
February 27, 2025: The Maryland PSC heard resident’s concerns on a 41-acre solar project in Millington. Residents expressed concerns over health risks and loss of agricultural land.
—Queen Anne’s County Issues Warning on Solar Lease Agreements
AHJ: Queen Anne's County
February 25, 2025: Queen Anne's County has issued a notice to property owners regarding solar lease agreements. They emphasize the importance of seeking legal advice before signing any documents related to solar electric generating facilities. The County Commissioners note concerns that large-scale solar projects could undermine local agriculture.
—Second public hearing held for solar project proposed on agricultural land in Westminster
Developer: Elk Development
AHJ: Carroll County
February 25, 2025: On February 25, 2025, a second public hearing was held regarding a solar 2.2-megawatt project proposed by Elk Development on agricultural land in Westminster. Roughly twelve neighbors from the surrounding area attended the hearing, expressing concerns about safety hazards and loss of agricultural land. The project is currently under review.
—Maryland residents want a menu of energy generation options, poll shows
February 26, 2025: A poll by the University of Maryland shows that most residents support a wide range of new power options, with four in five people saying they supported solar projects.
New York
Tax incentives OK’d for Busti solar projects
Developer: Catalyze
AHJ: Chautauqua County
February 26, 2025: The Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency has approved $3.3 million in Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) incentives for two colocated solar projects, sized 4.75 megawatts and 3 megawatts. The board allocated PILOT agreements that last for 25 years, influenced by prior support from the local town government.
—Solar Farm and Battery Storage Site Discussion at Town of Elmira Board Meeting
AHJ: Town of Elmira
February 25, 2025: During a recent board meeting in the Town of Elmira, discussions focused on a proposed solar farm and BESS site. To move forward, the board has referred the battery storage legislation to the Chemung County Planning Board for a thorough review.
—New York PSC approves retail and residential storage plan as 6-GW 2030 target in question
February 25, 2025: The New York State Public Service Commission has approved the state’s retail and residential energy storage implementation plan, with a goal of 1,500 MW of retail storage and 200 MW of residential storage. The state’s overall goal is 6 GW of storage by 2030.
—N.Y. Republican lawmakers ask for delay of State's green energy goals
February 25, 2025: New York Senate Republicans are asking state leaders to delay the implementation of green energy mandates by ten years, notably the Climate Leadership an Community Protection Act, citing high customer rates.
—Addison Solar Project Development in Steuben County
Developer: WEB Renewable Energy USA LLC
AHJ: Steuben County
February 26, 2025: WEB Renewable Energy announced the development of the Addison Solar Project is a 105-megawatt solar project by WEB Renewable Energy USA in Steuben County, NY. A public engagement session on the project took place February 26.
Pennsylvania
No market or competitor news since last issue.
Virginia
No market or competitor news since last issue.
📢 Policy & Programs
Maryland
SB0931/HB1036- Renewable Energy Certainty Act
Alters requirements for CPCNs and construction for solar and storage systems. Lessens local control over solar project approval. Prevents counties from taxing solar as industrial use.
Introduced 2/5.
UPDATE- House and Senate hearings to be held 2/28 at 1:30pm.
New York
Expands New York's net metering law by adding non-residential micro-combined heat and power generating equipment systems to the list of currently eligible technologies that can be net metered.
Introduced in Assembly 2/26, referred to Energy Committee.
Establishes an agrivoltaic production tax credit.
Introduced in Senate 2/26, referred to Budget and Revenue Committee.
Provides for direct-pay tax abatement credits for solar and storage systems in connection with eligible buildings.
Introduced in Assembly 2/25, referred to Real Property Taxation Committee.
Excludes renewable energy pilot projects and certain payments in lieu of taxes from tax cap calculations.
Also establishes of a distributed generation energy development program.
Introduced in Assembly 2/25, referred to Local Governments Committee.
Pennsylvania
Amends regulations around to establish decommissioning and bonding requirements for solar projects.
Introduced in Senate 2/26, referred to Energy Committee.
HB336- Protecting Prime Agricultural Land
Would prohibit solar on prime agricultural land.
Introduced in Senate 2/26, referred to Energy Committee.
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