A Columbia University study identified 59 new regional renewable energy site restrictions in 35 US states, bringing the total to 228. Further, it was pointed out that the nine state-level restrictions are strict enough to block the project.
Columbia Law School in New York has released its third annual roundup of anti-renewable energy bills submitted across the country. Opposition to Renewable Energy in the United States – May 2023 Editionaims to document local and state restrictions and opposition to the siting of renewable energy projects from 1995 to May 2023.
The authors argue that “local opposition to renewable energy facilities is widespread and growing, and poses a potentially significant obstacle to achieving climate goals.”
This report highlights some of the most challenging situations, including:
- In Virginia, at least seven counties have adopted solar curbs or moratoriums from June 2022 to May 2023 (Charlotte, Culpeper, Franklin, Halifax, Page, Pittsylvania, Shenandoah). For example, Pitsylvania County currently prohibits building solar farms within five miles of another solar farm and limits utility-scale solar projects to 2% of the total area of a zoning district. ing. Franklin County has a countywide site area cap of 1,500 acres for all ground-mounted solar projects.
- Between April 2022 and March 2023, At least 11 counties in Ohio Adopted a binding resolution banning large-scale renewable energy projects in all unincorporated territories or very large areas thereof.
In the latest report, researchers from Columbia University identified 228 local restrictions across 35 states. The authors also highlighted nine state-level regulations that are so stringent that they could impede renewable energy projects. Additionally, the team listed 293 renewable projects facing significant opposition in 45 states.
According to the authors’ criteria, the only states without significant restrictions or controversies were Alaska, Arizona, and Mississippi. For example, Yuma, Arizona, one of the sunniest cities in the United States, has a long history of suppressing the development of solar projects by utilities.
Most of the state-level regulations targeted wind power, and only a few had a direct impact on solar power. Two of these restrictions involved the need for state agencies in Connecticut and Maryland to approve relatively small solar projects. In New York State, the state government controls the approval of large-scale solar projects.
The group had identified 169 region-specific renewable energy limits by March 2022. Since then, 59 more limits have been enacted, a 35% increase. Additionally, over the course of the year, 82 projects were controversial in their respective zoning processes.
There was a 39% increase in the number of projects facing “serious organizational opposition” during this period.
At the same time as the strengthening of laws restricting renewable energy, solar power Record 6.1 GW of capacity deployed in Q1 2023 plans to deploy a record 30 GW of capacity in 2023. It is true, but dozens of projects Denied, but thousands turned on.
This content is copyrighted and may not be reused. If you would like to work with us and reuse some of our content, please contact us below. editors@pv-magazine.com.
