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Mainly clear. Low near 50F. Winds light and variable..
Mainly clear. Low near 50F. Winds light and variable.
Updated: May 25, 2026 @ 9:07 pm
Senator Russ Ingalls has proposed an amendment to a bill that would authorize the Public Utility Commission to regulate the siting of solar farms on prime agriculture land. (Photo by Ed Barber)
Senator Russ Ingalls has proposed an amendment to a bill that would authorize the Public Utility Commission to regulate the siting of solar farms on prime agriculture land. (Photo by Ed Barber)
MONTPELIER- As the 2026 legislative session nears the end, bills are making their way out of committees for debate and passage in Vermont’s two legislative chambers. One of those bills has drawn Senator Russ Ingalls’ interest, H.710. The bill includes clarifying language pertaining to energy generation facilities. Senator Ingalls has introduced an amendment to H.710, to expand the Public Utility Commission’s (PUC) jurisdiction over the siting of energy generation facilities.
Senator Ingalls had to convince the senate leadership the amendment was germane to the bill.
The concern of some legislators is that single-energy generation facilities are easier to expand onto prime agriculture fields, as a result of a lack of regulatory oversight. The amendment covers all types of generation facilities, including solar farms.
The senate and house agriculture committees made it one of their priorities to have the PUC increase their regulatory role in the construction or expansion of solar projects. A bill both committees endorsed was added to a miscellaneous agriculture bill, but according to Alison Despathy, was removed by the senate leadership.
Despathy is the Community and Environmental Health Director for Vermonters For a Clean Environment. She said H.710 was funneled past the senate agriculture committee and the natural resources committee.
“They didn’t get testimony of the impact this (siting generation facilities on prime agriculture land) has on agriculture and forest land,” Despathy said.
She believes the reason senate leaders removed the language from the miscellaneous agriculture bill is because of special interests. Solar farm developers don’t want additional oversight by having the PUC consider a project’s location.
“The amendment doesn’t tell anyone what you can do with your land,” Senator Ingalls said. “Yes, there is more scrutiny for solar, but not more than other developments.”
He wants the energy generation developer to provide a cost analysis justifying the feasibility of the project. Solar projects are subsidized by the government, at a cost to the taxpayer.
In an interview, Senator Ingalls said that unlike other development projects, if a solar farm takes up a three acre space, there are no regulations. Other developments would have to mitigate the loss of prime agriculture lands.
“Fifty-nine percent of prime agricultural land has been lost since Act 250 (1970) was enacted,” Senator Ingalls said. “Eighty percent of solar panels are on prime agricultural lands. There are other places to put them.”
Senator Ingalls isn’t done. On Tuesday he will bring the amendment back to the floor of the senate. If a majority of senators concur, the amendment will be attached to H.710. Following passage, the bill will be returned to the house for further action.
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