Maryland legislature passes Renewable Energy Certainty Act impacting Caroline County zoning

The Comprehensive Plan Update Public Meeting held on April 30, 2025, in Caroline County, Maryland, focused on significant legislative changes affecting local land use, particularly concerning renewable energy projects. The meeting highlighted the implications of the recently adopted Renewable Energy Certainty Act (House Bill 1036), which restricts local governments from enacting zoning changes that could hinder the development of solar and energy storage projects.

Key points discussed included the law's cap on solar development within designated county priority preservation areas, limiting it to 5% of the total area. With Caroline County's priority preservation area encompassing approximately 76,000 acres, this translates to around 9,000 acres potentially being allocated for solar farms. Participants expressed concerns that this shift could drastically alter the county's agricultural landscape, impacting food production and local farming economies.

The meeting underscored the tension between renewable energy initiatives and agricultural preservation, as solar farms may occupy land traditionally used for farming, poultry, and livestock. This land use conflict raises questions about food security and the future of agriculture in the region.

Further discussions emphasized the challenges posed by state and federal regulations that limit local decision-making. Attendees noted that the new law could diminish the county's ability to protect its agricultural land and open spaces, a concern that has not been as pronounced in previous comprehensive planning efforts.

The meeting concluded with a call for the community to document their goals and objectives in the comprehensive plan, as this could provide a framework for protecting agricultural land and open spaces against the pressures of renewable energy development. The importance of aligning zoning ordinances with the comprehensive plan was also highlighted as a critical step in navigating these changes.

Overall, the meeting served as a platform for addressing the complexities of balancing renewable energy growth with the preservation of Caroline County's agricultural heritage.