On May 14, 2015

Deal struck on solar siting requirements

By John Herrick, VTDigger.org

Towns and solar energy developers have reached a temporary compromise over how to better locate solar energy projects across the state.

The Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee unanimously approved an amendment to the state’s renewable energy bill, H.40, that puts in place statewide solar setback guidelines and requires regulators to consider local screening standards when permitting solar arrays.

Senate President pro tem John Campbell, D-Windsor, drafted the amendment. Campbell said he believed more solar projects should be built in Vermont, but towns should have a say in how they are built.

“A few people who are not good stewards of the land could ruin it for the entire industry,” he said.

The bill includes setbacks from property lines ranging from 25 to 100 feet for projects larger than 15 kilowatts. Setbacks from municipal and state roads range from 40 to 100 feet.

The bill also includes safeguards to prevent towns from blocking solar developments. The local screening requirements cannot prohibit or have the effect of prohibiting development, according to the bill. The Public Service Board, a quasi-judicial regulatory body, would consider these restrictions when reviewing energy project permits.

The provision would be added to the renewable energy bill, known as RESET, that puts in place mandatory renewable energy targets for the state’s utilities.

The bill also gives towns automatic party status in the Section 248 permitting process. Currently, towns must petition to be a party in the permitting process.

VTDigger.org

Do you want to submit feedback to the editor?

Send Us An Email!

Related Posts

The anticipated ‘Dec. 1 letter’ from the Vermont tax dept. projects 5.9% property tax increase

December 4, 2024
By Ethan Weinstein/VTDigger and Polly Mikula Vermonters can expect a 5.9% average increase in education property taxes next year absent major changes, according to the annual forecast from Craig Bolio, Vermont’s tax commissioner. The news arrived Monday, Dec. 2, in the form of the “Dec. 1 letter,” an annual projection required by law that represents the…

Vermont receives $5.3 million in federal grants to expand internet access across the state

November 27, 2024
By Klara Bauters / VTDigger Vermont has been awarded $5.3 million from the federal government to implement its Digital Equity Plan — which outlines how the state will provide individuals and communities with the tools and skills necessary to benefit from meaningful access to affordable, reliable, high-speed internet service. “Internet and broadband. It’s no longer…

Experts fear Trump environmental policies could undermine Vt’s efforts

November 27, 2024
By Emma Cotton/VTDigger As Donald Trump prepares to return to the presidency, experts worry that his climate and environmental policy goals could destabilize ongoing work in Vermont. The president-elect campaigned on tossing out policies related to climate change and loosening or abandoning environmental regulations. As a small state, Vermont leans on federal funding and regulatory frameworks…

VTSU sees 20% enrollment growth in plumbing, electrical apprenticeship programs

November 27, 2024
As the state kicked off Apprenticeship Week last week, Vermont State University (VTSU) announced that its plumbing and electrical registered apprenticeship programs have grown over 20% in two years. Enrollment for the current academic year is at a record high of over 870 apprentices after multiple years of sustained growth. “Vermont State University is dedicated…