Alabama Bill Proposes Immediate Halt to Utility-Scale Solar Development
A bill without a title has been sent in that, if passed, would stop all “large-scale, ground-mounted” solar construction in Alabama right away.
Senator Greg Albritton (R) from Alabama has put forward AL SB354, which would put a stop to all solar power construction in the state. The bill passed its first committee on March 11 and was brought to the full legislature on March 26. If the bill is passed as it is now, it would go into effect right away after the right signatures are collected.
One-Year Moratorium on New Solar Projects
The bill says, “For one year after the effective date of this act, a solar power facility that is not already operating or under construction on the effective date of this act may not be built or operated.”
The bill also says that the proposed restrictions only apply to utility-scale solar. These are described as “a large-scale, ground-mounted installation of photovoltaic panels…using solar power for use off-site or sale to a third party.”
Stockton Project Sparks Legislative Response
The politician told the Senate Transportation & Energy committee that the bill was brought up because people in Stockton, Alabama, were upset about a solar project that was meant to power a metadata center.
He later said, “I’m not doing anything more than trying to protect the Black Belt.” The central part of Alabama is known for its very dark, fertile soil and the plantation economy that grew up there, which was worked by black people. There have also been long-term economic problems since then.
The 4,500-acre solar facility is being built by Silicon Ranch. Because the land is in rural areas and not within the limits of a city, there is a local review process for development, according to Alabama law. The state’s Public Service Commission gave the project the green light for a 25-year power purchase agreement in December.
A local told NBC in an interview, “They followed the letter of the law, but not the spirit of the law.”
Growing Trend of State-Level Solar Restrictions
In the past few months, this is the second Republican politician to propose a statewide ban. A Missouri State Senator, with the Governor’s strong support, introduced a bill to stop all solar construction right away. It would also put a hold on all new solar construction starts until December 31, 2027, or until the state makes new rules.
At the same time, U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick is publicly calling for the reinstatement of wind and solar tax credits that were taken away by the OBBB. This is because Republicans may face problems in the upcoming midterm elections.
If the 260 MWac Stockton solar facility were built and approved today, it would add one-third to Alabama’s solar capacity on its own.
Even though Alabama is in the south and has a lot of land, it is not known for having a lot of solar construction. The state has just under 1 GW of capacity in use, which puts it 38th in the country. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), the state gets less than 1% of its electricity from solar power.
