Sponsors (6)
The bill prioritizes protecting agricultural land, local control, and soil remediation but does so at the cost of constraining federal support for utility‑scale solar, which can slow renewable deployment, raise project costs, and shift compliance and financial risk onto developers and some communities.
Farmers and rural communities keep covered farmland available for agricultural production because the bill restricts federal support for converting protected farmland to utility-scale solar.
Farmers and rural communities benefit from projects relying on local approval being required to fund and implement soil‑protection and remediation plans, which helps preserve soil health during and after solar operations.
Local counties and municipalities retain decision authority over solar siting through a resolution exception, increasing local control over land-use decisions.
Utilities, developers, and Americans relying on faster decarbonization may face slower renewable energy deployment and higher project costs because federal support for utility‑scale solar on protected farmland is restricted.
Developers, applicants, and farmers face added compliance costs and project delays from required funded conservation plans and the Secretary's approval before USDA funds are disbursed.
Owners and operators face significant financial risk because projects that fail to meet plan obligations may be required to repay the full USDA assistance.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Blocks USDA financial assistance for projects that would convert covered farmland out of agricultural production, with narrow exceptions and required funded farmland conservation plans for approved projects.
Prohibits USDA financial assistance for projects that would convert covered farmland so it no longer meets a State’s agricultural-production requirements, while allowing three narrow exceptions: very small conversions, projects where most energy is used on the farm, and projects approved by county and municipal resolutions. Projects approved by local resolution must create and fund a farmland conservation plan that protects soil health during construction/operation and restores soil to pre-project condition after decommissioning; USDA may obligate but not disburse funds until the plan is in place and can require full repayment for failures to comply.
Introduced February 26, 2025 by Mike Bost · Last progress February 26, 2025