The Kentucky General Assembly has approved legislation pertaining to the establishment of solar farms across the Commonwealth. Murray Senator Jason Howell said the measure focuses on permitting and regulating the grouping of solar panels, especially in areas of local development. He was asked if this law could impact the pace of constructing new solar farm sites.
“The limitations of our power grid are gonna slow the production of our solar farms. This is a process to work through itself out. If anything it might make it quicker because there’s a set of guardrails and guidelines that didn’t exist before,” said Howell.
Governor Beshear vetoed the bill and the House and Senate overrode that veto last week. Louisville Senator Cassie Chambers Armstrong cast one of the "no" votes, saying she was concerned it offers fewer protections for rural landowners.
“Solar development is the way we want to be moving, but we have to make sure as we do it that we’re also protecting our rural landowners. My grandparents were small farmers. I understand the importance of making sure that, as we do this, we aren’t leaving people behind and we’re doing it in a way that’s responsible,” said Chambers Armstrong.
House Bill four was one of several bills the General Assembly gave final passage to after overriding the governor’s veto.
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