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Bill would require cities to weigh rooftop solar before using farmland for energy projects, sponsor says
Summary
Representative Gannon presented RS 3257 C1 to require cities to include a cost-benefit analysis when permitting large new buildings so communities consider rooftop or parking-lot solar before converting farmland to utility-scale solar or energy uses. The committee returned the measure to the sponsor for revision.
Representative John Gannon presented RS 3257 C1 as an effort to steer solar and other energy development away from productive farmland and toward existing rooftops and parking lots. Gannon said the measure is aimed at getting cities to require a cost-benefit analysis when approving certain new construction so officials “think about what you're doing to the rural areas” before approving projects that could convert farmland to energy production.
Gannon told the committee the provision applies to new construction (he contrasted new buildings with older buildings) and described the proposal as nonmandatory: “It's not mandating you do anything...It's designed for people to think,” he said. He said the measure initially targets cities rather than counties and would not apply to many unincorporated data-center sites in county land unless counties are later added to the proposal.
Committee members raised practical questions about cost, scope and thresholds. Representative Mickelson and others asked whether adding a cost-benefit analysis would increase permitting costs for developers; Gannon said he expected the burden to be “de minimis.” Representative Valfieri said the bill as written appeared broad and pointed to thresholds discussed in the hearing, such as a 10,000-square-foot building or a 5,000-square-foot parking lot used by members during questioning. Gannon acknowledged those concerns and said the bill’s aim was to force consideration of alternatives such as rooftop solar rather than to require specific installations.
Speakers cited examples and local context: Gannon referenced two large potential data-center sites (a 640-acre site on the Yamamoto Farm and a Meta urban renewal site), the company Diode’s purchase of 640 acres and a reported $4 billion inquiry on a potential data-center project mentioned to the tax commission. Committee members suggested refinements such as limiting application to specific occupancies or adding free cost estimates if that was a concern.
Rather than advancing RS 3257, the committee voted to return the RS to the sponsor. The motion to return RS 3257 for C1 to the sponsor carried on voice vote; the transcript does not include a roll-call tally.
