Key Highlights:
- HB241 aims to cut state tax incentives for solar farms on designated farmland.
- The bill has passed the House and now moves to the Senate.
- Developers must consult with state biologists and plan for land restoration.
- Lawmakers are divided on whether this measure helps or hinders renewable energy.
Utah lawmakers are considering a bill that could make it more difficult to build large solar farms, particularly on land used for agriculture. HB241, sponsored by Rep. Colin Jack, seeks to remove financial incentives for solar energy projects on farmland classified as “productive” by the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food. The bill recently passed the House with a 54-12 vote and is now awaiting Senate review.
The main goal of HB241 is to find a balance between food production and the expansion of renewable energy. According to Jack, many residents have voiced concerns about losing valuable farmland to large solar projects. In response, the bill eliminates tax benefits, such as clean energy tax credits and infrastructure support, for solar farms on designated agricultural land.
Originally, HB241 included strict requirements on aspects such as lot size, height restrictions, setbacks, noise levels, and visual impact, but those provisions have been removed. The bill now focuses only on eliminating financial incentives for solar farms in protected farmland areas.
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Additionally, the bill requires solar developers to consult with state biologists to assess potential impacts on wildlife and endangered species in the project area. Developers must also create a decommissioning fund and restoration plan with either the landowner or local authorities to ensure proper land use after a project is retired.
Despite these changes, the bill does not prevent individuals from building solar projects on private land using their own funds. Farmland that is only partially suited for growing crops may still qualify for some incentives.
During a House debate, Rep. Rosalba Dominguez, D-Salt Lake City, expressed concerns that HB241 might discourage Utah’s commitment to renewable energy. However, she acknowledged the importance of protecting farmland. Meanwhile, Rep. Scott Chew, R-Jensen, argued that while the bill does not ban solar farms, it does limit financial opportunities for landowners by restricting access to incentives.
Supporters of the bill, including Rep. Troy Shelley, R-Ephraim, believe it holds solar developers accountable. Shelley pointed out that some corporations build large projects but later abandon them, leaving behind deteriorating infrastructure. The bill’s requirement for a decommissioning fund would help prevent such situations by ensuring developers take financial responsibility for land restoration.
This legislation is part of a broader conversation in Utah’s legislature, as lawmakers also consider another proposal to impose a tax on privately owned solar and wind projects to support a wildlife conservation fund.
On Monday, HB241 was amended to clarify that it would not impact solar projects already in progress. However, debate continues over its potential effects on Utah’s renewable energy sector and farmland preservation.
As HB241 moves to the Senate, opinions remain divided. Supporters see it as a necessary step to protect agricultural land, while opponents worry about its impact on clean energy growth. Lawmakers will soon decide how Utah balances food production and the expansion of renewable energy.
