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Lunenburg supervisors unanimously oppose proposed state solar siting bills
Summary
The board adopted a resolution opposing House Bill 636 and Senate Bill 567 (and expressed concern about Senate Bill 697), saying those measures would allow a state agency to override local land-use plans and zoning for utility-scale solar siting.
The Lunenburg County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a resolution on Feb. 8 opposing proposed General Assembly measures that would give the Virginia State Corporation Commission authority to site utility-scale solar facilities and effectively override local comprehensive plans and zoning.
County Attorney Frank Rennie told the board the bills at issue (House Bill 636 and Senate Bill 567, with Senate Bill 697 also referenced in the resolution) would enable developers to seek approval from a state agency rather than from local planning commissions and boards of supervisors. The proposed legislation, Rennie said, would permit solar siting that ignores local comprehensive plans and potentially prevent counties from setting size and composition limits for solar facilities.
Supervisor Mike Hankins moved that the board approve the resolution and forward it to the county’s state delegates and senator; the motion passed unanimously. The resolution asks the General Assembly and the governor to oppose any bill that would remove local authority to regulate the size, character and placement of solar facilities in the county.
