SENATE REJECTS LOCAL CONTROL OVER
SITING OF SOLAR GENERATION PLANTS
.
FAILED
in the State Senate on March 19, 2014 by a vote of
8-21
Purpose: S.191 would have required that ground mounted solar generation plants “comply with setback and screening requirements adopted by the municipality” in which the project would be built. It would also have allowed local communities more input into how and where solar plants are located. (Read the Bill)
Analysis: Those voting NO on S.191 oppose any obstacles to the growth of renewable power generation in Vermont and feel that requiring deference to local input during the process of permitting solar plants might, in the words of Sen. David Zuckerman (D/P-Chittenden), “create hurdles for renewable energy progress.” (VT Digger) By rejecting this bill, they empower the Public Service Board (an unelected body) to disregard or override local zoning regulations.
Those voting YES on S.191 would have required the Public Service Board to respect local zoning and screening bylaws when siting solar projects.
Senate Journal, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. “Thereupon, third reading of the bill was disagreed to on a roll call, Yeas 8, Nays 21.” (Read the Journal, p.444-446)
Related Material:
What Going to 90% Renewables Would Do To Vermont’s Landscape, by Meredith Angwin.
How They Voted
(Click on Your Senator’s Name to Send an Email)
Timothy Ashe (D/P-Chittenden) – NO
Claire Ayer (D-Addison) – NO
Philip Baruth (D-Chittenden) – NO
Joseph Benning (R-Caledonia) – YES
Christopher Bray (D-Addison) – NO
John Campbell (D-Windsor) – PRESIDING
Donald Collins (D-Franklin) – NO
Ann Cummings (D-Washington) – NO
William Doyle (R-Washington) – NO
Margaret Flory (R-Rutland) – NO
Eldred French (D-Rutland) – NO
Peter Galbraith (D-Windham) – YES
Robert Hartwell (D-Bennington) – YES
M. Jane Kitchel (D-Caledonia) – YES
Virginia Lyons (D-Chittenden) – NO
Mark MacDonald (D-Orange) – NO
Richard Mazza (D-Chittenden-Grand Isle) – NO
Norman McAllister (R-Franklin) – NO
Richard McCormack (D-Windsor) – NO
Kevin Mullin (R-Rutland) – YES
Alice Nitka (D-Windsor District) – NO
Anthony Pollina (P/D/W-Washington) – NO
John Rodgers (D-Essex-Orleans) – YES
Richard Sears (D-Bennington) – NO
Diane Snelling (R-Chittenden) – YES
Robert Starr (D-Essex-Orleans) – YES
Michael Sirotkin (D-Chittenden) – NO
Richard Westman (R-Lamoille) – NO
Jeanette White (D-Windham) – NO
David Zuckerman (P-Chittenden) – NO
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