Residents launch petition drive; commissioners reiterate opposition to utility‑scale solar on farmland
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
A caller asked residents to sign an emergency petition referencing SB931 to limit large solar installations on agricultural land; commissioners present earlier in the meeting expressed opposition to siting utility solar on productive farmland and noted a Farmers Alliance petition effort.
A caller identified as Sally Taylor used the public‑comment period on May 29 to urge Carroll County residents to sign a petition opposing provisions of SB931 that supporters say expand opportunities for large solar installations on agricultural land.
Taylor told commissioners the petition is part of a larger, statewide referendum effort led by the Farmers Alliance for Rural Maryland and that organizers need an initial set of signatures by the coming Monday. She said she created a Facebook page, “sb931 petition drive,” with details about local collection points and the statewide campaign; she urged those who oppose utility‑scale solar on preserved farmland to sign quickly.
Earlier in the meeting several commissioners discussed the recently enacted state measure and said they oppose siting utility‑scale solar on productive agricultural ground. Commissioners noted Carroll County supports rooftop and parking‑lot solar and commercial projects but said they do not want fertile farmland converted to large solar arrays; one commissioner directed viewers to the petition website on the meeting screen and encouraged residents to sign.
The public comment and commissioners’ remarks reflect a continuing local debate over state solar siting policy. The petition effort cited on the call is intended to place a referendum on the 2026 ballot; organizers told the commission that volunteers from across the state are coordinating signature drives.
No formal action by the board was recorded during the public‑comment segment.