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

• EPA tells White House to strike down landmark climate finding
  February 25, 2025: EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin Lee Zeldin has asked the White House to strike down a scientific finding that greenhouse gases pose a threat to public health, which has driven much of the federal government’s push to combat climate change. Democratic lawmakers have said they will push back on this reversal.
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• Grid equipment manufacturers anticipate 2% annual US load growth through 2050
  February 26, 2025:
  The National Electrical Manufacturers’ Association predicts that US electricity demand will grow 2% annually over the next quarter century, driven by data centers, building electrification, industry and transportation.
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• White House says Trump meant EPA will cut 65 percent of spending, not staff
  February 26, 2025: After Donald Trump stated on Wednesday that EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin would cut 65% of its workforce, the White House walked the comments back. They instead stated the EPA will cut 65% of spending, not necessarily staff.

Georgia

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

Illinois

• 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.
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• 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.
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• 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.
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• Pending Zoning Petitions Overview
  AHJ: Kane County
  February 27, 2025: Kane County has a pending ordinance revision outlining specific requirements for solar projects in the county. This includes requirements for SUP applications, operations, and decommissioning plans.

Iowa

• Allamakee County sets public hearing for Solar Utility Ordinance
  AHJ: Allamakee County
  February 26, 2025: The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing regarding their solar utility ordinance on March 10.

Maryland

• 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.
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• 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.
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• 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.

Michigan

• Livingston Co Board Affirms Support of Communities Appealing Wind, Solar Rules
  AHJ: Livingston County, MI
  February 25, 2025: The Livingston County Board passed a resolution to uphold local control over renewable energy projects, expressing its support for communities challenging new state regulations on wind and solar energy. Many towns within the county are actively appealing these rulings, arguing that they strip local governments of their power. Additionally, many communities are drafting local renewable ordinances to comply with the new state regulations.

Missouri

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

Ohio

• Bellefontaine solar ordinance fails to pass
  AHJ: City of Bellefontaine
  February 26, 2025: The Bellefontaine City Council failed to garner enough votes to pass an ordinance regulating solar energy facilities in the city.

Pennsylvania

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

Wisconsin

• Wisconsin Public Service Commission discusses expansion of community solar tariff
  February 27, 2025: In a Thursday meeting, the Wisconsin Public Service Commission heard several applications for solar energy projects. Notably, Wisconsin Power and Light Company applied to expand its community solar program tariff. The commission also discussed an investigation into energy market operations, indicating a focus on how these markets interact with renewable energy growth, including solar initiatives.
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• Deerfield strives to show rural Wisconsin towns a solar-powered future
  AHJ: Village of Deerfield
  February 27, 2025: Thanks to private donations from local philanthropists Cal and Laurie Couillard, the village of Deerfield has rapidly adopted solar energy. With federal tax credits and grants making solar more accessible, the Couillards hope to make Deerfield a model for sustainable energy in Wisconsin.

📋 RFP Opportunities

Michigan

• Agriculture and Rural Business Energy Incentive Program

  • The Michigan Department of Environment has issued an RFP for renewable energy projects for farms, agribusinesses, and rural businesses/nonprofits. The RFP will close on 4/25, with grants expected to go out by 8/31.

Missouri

• MDNR Grid Resilience Formula Funding (GRFF) Subgrants

  • Missouri’s Department of Natural Resources is offering $13 million in total funding to “improve the all-hazards resilience of the electric grid against disruptive events and prevent outages” ****for projects located in Missouri.

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.

• SOPEC Solar Development Planning

  • The Sustainable Ohio Public Energy Council (SOPEC) is requesting competitive proposals from solar developers to bundle a variety of behind-the-meter solar arrays into a unified PPA, with an option to purchase the solar arrays after the PPA term. No submission date is listed. Submissions are due by email.

Pennsylvania

• PA Department of Commerce Solar Energy Program

  • The Solar Energy Program provides grants and loans to promote the generation and use of solar energy and the manufacture or assembly of solar equipment in Pennsylvania, up to $3 per watt. Applications are currently being accepted on a rolling basis.

📢 Policy & Program Updates

Georgia

• HB 249- Solar power facility agreements; revise provisions

  • Would require certification by the Department of Natural Resources that solar facility agreements meet certain requirements and lay out civil penalties for not meeting requirements.

  • Introduced 2/4.

  • Passed House Energy Committee review 2/6.

  • UPDATE- Withdrawn and reintroduced with amendments 2/24.

Illinois

• 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.

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.

Pennsylvania

• SB349- Solar Decommissioning

  • 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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