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Commissioners approve opposition letter to state renewable-energy siting bill amid split public comment
Summary
The board voted to send a letter opposing House Bill 1031 and Senate Bill 931, bills described at the meeting as limiting local control over renewable-energy siting and taxing utility-scale arrays; the meeting included public comment both supporting and opposing the bills.
Kent County commissioners approved sending a letter of opposition to proposed state legislation described during the meeting as House Bill 1031 and Senate Bill 931 — bills discussed as limiting local land-use authority over siting of utility-scale renewable-energy projects and changing local tax treatment for those projects.
Commissioners framed their vote as protecting local zoning authority and the county’s ability to tax personal property used in utility-scale arrays. One commissioner described the bills as "very, very bad" and said they would further diminish local control over siting. The board approved a drafted opposition letter and designated Commissioner Nickerson to represent Kent County at the regional Mako legislative committee meeting.
Public comment reflected contrasting views: Paula Reeder, a resident of Still Pond, urged the commissioners not to send a letter opposing the bills and argued that the measures would expedite needed in-state generation capacity and help control rising electricity costs. "The only way for us to control escalating costs and achieve long term energy self sufficiency is to build broad based... in-state electric generation capability," Reeder said.
By contrast, Frank Rhodes, speaking as a private citizen and a school board member, urged the board to oppose state actions he said would "force the hand of the Eastern Shore" and cited concerns that farmers could be exploited by developers and that preserved farmland could be converted. Rhodes encouraged local turnout and protest at Annapolis hearings.
Board reasoning and next steps: Commissioners said they support renewable energy in principle but want local zoning authority maintained, cited concerns about farmland conversion and local tax revenues, and asked staff to send the opposition letter. Staff will transmit the board's letter to legislative contacts and coordinate Commissioner Nickerson’s participation in the Mako committee and the Friday joint hearing on the bills.
Ending: Commissioners invited staff to use the county’s communications channels to share information about the bills and any guidance for residents seeking more information.
