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Measure to enable solar development on water‑constrained Williamson Act land draws sharp debate
Summary
AB 1156 would allow temporary suspensions of Williamson Act contracts for solar projects on water‑constrained parcels, with mandatory community benefits and environmental review; supporters say it provides options for struggling farmland, opponents warn of erosion of protections for prime agricultural land.
Assemblymember presenting AB 11 56 described the bill as an update to California's solar use easement statute that would provide a voluntary, locally driven path for land under Williamson Act contracts to host large‑scale solar projects when water constraints make farming impracticable. The author said the program would suspend (not cancel) Williamson Act contracts for the length of the solar project, require a full CEQA review, mandatory community benefits above any local requirements, and ensure projects pay full property taxes to counties during the term.
Supporters described the measure as a…
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