Mar 4, 2025 Issue

Distributed Generation news, RFPs and program policy updates in US federal policy, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

📰 Market & Development News

US

• Trump administration restores Pennsylvania enviro funding
  February 28, 2025: President Trump’s administration restored roughly $2.1 billion for Pennsylvania’s environmental programs, mainly focused on reclaiming abandoned mine land and plugging orphaned wells, the state’s governor said this week. Earlier in February, the state sued the federal government to attempt to recoup the funds.

Georgia

• No community solar market or competitor updates since last issue.

Illinois

• On a Test of Energy Democracy, Illinois Passes
  February 27, 2025: The Institute for Local Self-Reliance released their annual Community Power Scorecard, measuring control over their energy systems state-by-state. Illinois rated the highest thanks to consumer-friendly rules on rooftop and community solar, receiving a B.
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• Public Hearing for New Solar Facility in DeKalb
  Developer: Turning Point Energy
  AHJ: Dekalb County
  March 1, 2025: Turning Point Energy will hold a public hearing to grant a Special Use Permit to a 4.99-megawatt community solar facility, named TPE IL DE35 This facility would cover about 30.20 acres of a 40-acre, agriculturally zoned site in Franklin Township.
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• On a Test of Energy Democracy, Illinois Passes
  February 27, 2025: The Institute for Local Self-Reliance released their annual Community Power Scorecard, measuring control over their energy systems state-by-state. Illinois rated the highest thanks to consumer-friendly rules on rooftop and community solar, receiving a B.

Iowa

• Tama County, Board of Supervisors sued over wind energy moratorium
  Developer: Salt Creek Wind, LLC
  AHJ: NextEra Energy
  February 28, 2025: In early January 2025, the Tama County Board of Supervisors approved a moratorium on wind energy projects, resulting in a lawsuit from developers of the Salt Creek Wind project. The lawsuit seeks a court's decision on whether the moratorium applies to their project, which holds permits and has made significant expenditures on development.

• NOTE- not directly related to solar, but this may establish a legal precedent for in-progress renewable energy projects to proceed under moratoria.
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• Public Opposition to SF 376 on Renewable Energy Projects
  March 3, 2025: Ahead of a meeting on the proposed Senate Bill 376, which gives additional power to the state over the siting and operation of renewable energy facilities, the Iowa Legislature opened the bill to public comment. Iowan citizens expressed strong opposition to the bill, arguing it undermines local control and governance over renewable energy projects

Maryland

• Kent County Commissioners oppose state solar bill
  AHJ: Kent
  February 28, 2025: Kent County Commissioners, Ron Fithian and Albert Nickerson, spoke in a Maryland General Assembly hearing to oppose HB103/SB931. This bill aims to centralize authority over solar project siting, which local officials argue would undermine their ability to control local land use.

Michigan

• No community solar market or competitor updates since last issue.

Missouri

• No community solar market or competitor updates since last issue.

Ohio

• Energy company seeks to build solar complex in Columbiana County despite ban
  Developer: Williams Companies
  AHJ: Columbiana County
  February 28, 2025: The Kensington Process Plant in Hanover is proposing a 22-megawatt behind-the-meter solar project. This proposal comes after a controversial 2023 ban on renewable projects in all 18 townships of Columbiana County, following strong local opposition. The project's size allows it to bypass local regulatory oversight, as it falls under the 50-megawatt state threshold. If approved, the solar farm will start construction in March.
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• HC commissioners maintain utility-scale moratorium, reject proposed solar field
  Developer: Reserve Energy, Brookfield Renewable
  AHJ: Henry County
  March 1, 2025: Henry County commissioners announced their decision to maintain a restriction on large-scale solar and wind projects, which includes a proposed solar field project by Reserve Energy and Brookfield Renewable in Washington Township. The commissioners saw significant public opposition to the project. Ultimately, the commissioners denied the request to amend the restricted area map for the solar field.

Pennsylvania

• Buffalo Township officials give green light to solar array ordinance
  AHJ: Buffalo Township, PA
  March 1, 2025: Buffalo Township supervisors have adopted a new ordinance setting regulations for the siting, construction, operation, and decommissioning of solar facilities, particularly focusing on balancing renewable energy with the protection of agricultural land. Key provisions include outright prohibitions on solar projects on Class 1 and Class 2 agricultural land and provisions made for agrivoltaics.
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• Solar energy project rising in Bedford County to support natural gas network
  Developer: Enbridge, Bear Peak East Providence LLC, Pivot Energy
  AHJ: Bedford Township, PA
  March 2, 2025: Canadian company Enbridge is building a solar array on 41 acres of farmland to generate electricity for compressor units in the Texas Eastern Pipeline. The project is expected to be completed by May 2025. Additionally, two other companies, Bear Peak East Providence LLC and Pivot Energy, have proposed separate 3-megawatt projects in the region.
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• Antis solar farm proposal raises some concerns among planners
  Developer: SRI Captura Sage Holdco LLC
  AHJ: Blair County
  February 28, 2025: The Blair County Planning Commission discussed the 7-megawatt Blair Frito Solar Project proposed in Antis Township. Concerns were raised about site access and stormwater management issues. The planning director instructed that all compliance matters need to be addressed to minimize community impact before the project can proceed.

Wisconsin

• No community solar market or competitor updates since last issue.

📋 RFP Opportunities

Illinois

• BEC RFP Webcast

  • A bidder information webcast for the IPA’s 2025 Block Energy Capacity RFP will be held on Friday, March 7, 2025 at 2:00 PM Central and is open to all prospective bidders.

Ohio

• City of Sharonville Aggregation Program RFP

  • The City of Sharonville is seeking electric generation service for eligible customers participating in its opt-out electric aggregation program. Proposals are due by 3/4.

📢 Policy & Program Updates

Georgia

• HB 169- Ad valorem tax; breach of a covenant for bona fide conservation use related to solar generation of energy; limit exceptions

  • Would limit exceptions to forest land conservation ordinances used to site solar projects.

  • Introduced 1/29.

  • UPDATE- passed in House 160-0 on 2/27. Moved to Senate.

Iowa

• HF 625- Tax Credit Repeal

  • Repeals tax credits on a rolling basis over a five-year period, beginning Jan 1, 2027. Includes the repeal of the solar energy system tax credit.

  • Introduced in House 2/28, referred to Ways & Means Committee.

• SF 376- Renewable Siting

  • Encourages the development of renewable energy. Gives state more jurisdiction over local ruling.

  • Introduced 2/19, referred to Commerce Committee.

  • UPDATE- 2/28- Subcommittee meeting on bill included strong local opposition. No decision reached.

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 held 2/28 at 1:30pm. Strong local opposition, including from local farmers and legislators.

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