ACTION ALERT: MORATORIUM ON INDUSTRIAL SOLAR ON AG LAND NEEDED

Dear Constituent,

Now is the time to stop a mistake from happening that will affect our neighborhoods and communities forever.

Solar energy is an important source of clean energy.  We must encourage the development of solar and other forms of renewable energy in Baltimore County.  Directing industrial solar facilities to sites that are already disturbed (e.g. brownfields, landfills, industrial and office buildings and parking lots) increases Baltimore County’s land use efficiency, accelerates progress in use of renewable energy and reinforces our substantial investment in green space preservation, estimated to exceed $200 million.

However, the industrial solar industry is eyeing cheap Baltimore County agricultural land to meet state legislation targets because several of the other counties within BGE’s six-jurisdiction service area either prohibit the large industrial solar facilities in agricultural zones or have enacted a moratorium while they study the best way forward.  Fourteen applications have been submitted in Baltimore County for permission to construct solar facilities on land zoned for farming and resource conservation. Each proposed project can produce up to 2 megawatts (MW) of electricity and cover acres of land currently used by farmers to grow food with thousands of solar panels. There is realistic concern that future laws will encourage the expansion of industrial solar facilities which will result in larger fields of solar panels over land best suited to growing food.

We need to act now to correct the mistake in current County legislation that takes the green out of Baltimore County solar energy plans.  I recommend you personally request that County Executive Don Mohler issue an Executive Order that immediately places a moratorium on all industrial solar projects proposed and requires an in-depth study of the solar issue that will provide the County Council and County Executive with guidance to create green industrial solar legislation.  Tell Don Mohler you are concerned about:

•          Removing prime and productive land from agriculture
•          Introducing a new, land-intensive industrial use that conflicts with longstanding goals and programs
•          Deterring future funding and investment in green space preservation and Baltimore County’s agriculture industry
•          Reducing property values of homes
•          Polluting our soils and drinking reservoir watersheds with particles from damaged solar panels and increased storm water runoff
•          Debasement of our scenic viewsheds
•          Removal of obsolete solar facilities and restoration of the land to agricultural use

Citizens and community groups are challenging 12 of the14 proposals currently before the Administrative Law Judge, Board of Appeals or Circuit Court. They need your help to stem the tide of proposals on our best farm land. The current regulations wisely called for a review in one year’s time, and that time is upon us. Please let County Executive Mohler know that you believe further study on the best location for these facilities is desperately needed in order for Baltimore County to be a leader in solar power generation and agricultural production.

Many people visit the Baltimore area and are stunned to find the beautiful and productive rural area so close to the city. This was no accident, and many have invested and sacrificed to achieve this. Please help protect our agricultural heritage and future by contacting the County Executive with a request for a moratorium on all industrial solar projects while this use is given adequate study. You can email Don Mohler at dmohler@baltimorecountymd.gov .

Just as importantly, the citizens and community groups who are challenging these proposed commercialsolar facilities need your financial help.  The process is very expensive requiring the retention of an attorney and expert witnesses.  The following is a list of some of the proposed solar locations followed by contact information for the citizens and community groups who/which are challenging the proposals.  The contact information includes financial contribution information.

Thank you for your help.

Wade

District 3 Community Solar Zoning Cases