On March 6, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic Butchko testified before the House Economic Matters Committee and the Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee in support of HB 742 / SB 640 – Public Utilities – Solar Energy Generating Stations – Eminent Domain.
This bill prevents the use of eminent domain in the construction of solar energy generating stations.
Across Maryland’s rural communities, landowners have been voicing concerns that the state may use eminent domain to develop solar projects and reach its energy goals. This bill is a response to those concerns and clarifies that the state may not use eminent domain to develop solar energy projects.
As demand grows for renewable energy, one of the greatest fears of rural landowners is the use of eminent domain for the construction of solar projects. Across rural Maryland, solar energy developments are expanding rapidly—often without consideration for local communities. Many developers bypass collaboration with local officials, site projects on irreplaceable prime farmland, and pressure landowners into seemingly lucrative but ultimately costly agreements. HB 742 seeks to alleviate fears and ensure the rights of private property owners remain protected.
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