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Carroll County refers local solar and energy-storage code changes after state passes Renewable Energy Certainty Act
Summary
County planners will revise local zoning and site rules for utility-scale solar and battery storage so county code aligns with new state law that takes effect July 1; commissioners authorized staff to seek Planning & Zoning Commission recommendations.
Carroll County commissioners voted May 1 to send proposed changes to local zoning and site-design rules for solar energy generation and utility-scale energy storage devices to the county Planning and Zoning Commission for review.
The referral follows passage of a state law the county described as the "State Renewable Energy Certainty Act" (Senate Bill 931 / House Bill 1036), which takes effect July 1 and sets new limits on local prohibitions and requirements for certain solar projects and energy-storage facilities. County staff told commissioners the law preempts several elements of existing county code and creates new statewide categories and requirements for projects between 1 and 5 megawatts and for front-of-the-meter battery facilities.
County planning staff said the law prevents counties from prohibiting solar projects sized between 1 and 5 megawatts in certain…
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