An Act To Balance Renewable Energy Development With Natural And Working Lands Conservation
This bill establishes a pilot program in Maine to test how solar energy development can coexist with farming and forestry operations. It directs the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to create an application process for landowners and developers who want to participate, allowing projects ranging from 20 to 60 megawatts. The program includes provisions for the department to accept public or private funding and to hire staff to manage the initiative. Additionally, the bill allocates specific state funds to cover a senior planner position and other administrative costs needed to run the pilot through 2025.
Bill status
died
4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2023
Committee Review
Jun 2023
House Passage
Jun 2023
Senate Passage
Jun 2023
Governor
Introduced Mar 21, 2023
Last action Nov 20, 2024
Floor votes
How they voted
This bill passed the House by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
23
Key actions
4
Committee
5
Jun 14, 2023
Lower · Passed
PASSED TO BE ENACTED.
lower
Jun 13, 2023
Upper · Passed
Committee Amendment "A" (H-437) READ and ADOPTED, in concurrence.
upper
Jun 9, 2023
Legislature · Passed
Reported Out - OTP-AM
legislature
Mar 23, 2023
Committee
On motion by Senator Ingwersen of York, REFERRED to the Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, in concurrence.
upper
Mar 21, 2023
Committee
On motion of Representative ZEIGLER of Montville, the Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY.
lower
Mar 21, 2023
Lower · Passed
Committee on ENERGY, UTILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY suggested and ordered printed.
lower
1 primary · 4 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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