An ambitious, though some would suggest an unrealistic, “green energy” agenda for Maryland has been and is a top priority of a majority of the members in the Maryland General Assembly and Governor Moore.
During the final days of the 2025 General Assembly session, that agenda was advanced when Senate Bill 931, a bill with only one Senate sponsor from Montgomery County, was approved.
Understanding the profound negative impact of this proposed new law on the Eastern Shore, every member of the General Assembly representing the Eastern Shore voted no on final passage of SB 931 in a bipartisan display of unity and solidarity.
Their efforts were thwarted by a super majority in both the Senate and House of Delegates, where, as always, a minority may have their say, but the majority will always have their way.
SB 931 was signed into law by Governor Moore in late May and takes effect on July 1, 2025.
In response to the final version of SB 931, a new advocacy group was launched.
The Farmers Alliance for Rural Maryland (F.A.R.M.) is a grassroots organization of Maryland farmers and agriculture advocates committed to protecting and preserving Maryland’s rural landscapes and way of life.
According to their website, F.A.R.M. intends to oppose eminent domain initiatives, state preemption of local zoning laws, and any proposals that threaten the future of Maryland agriculture, such as commercial solar fields, data centers, battery storage, power lines, and warehouse centers on zoned agricultural landEven before Governor Moore signed SB 931 into law, F.A.R.M. launched a petition drive using the provisions of Article XVI, Section 1 of the Maryland Constitution.
That article states: “The people reserve to themselves power known as The Referendum, by petition to have submitted to the registered voters of the State, to approve or reject at the polls, any Act, or part of any Act of the General Assembly, if approved by the Governor, or, if passed by the General Assembly over the veto of the Governor.”
The first step for SB 931 to be on a referendum on the next statewide general election ballot required F.A.R.M. to filing at least 20,053 validated petition signatures to the state board of elections by May 31, 2025
Despite best efforts by F.A.R.M. leaders and volunteers, F.A.R.M. narrowly missed meeting the required number by that deadline.
This matter is far from over.
Following the failed petition drive, the leaders of F.A.R.M. said they are not giving up the fight.
Some will say any future F.A.R.M. efforts on this matter, especially in the legislature, to repeal all or parts on this new law will be an exercise in futility.
I strongly disagree.
It will not be easy. It can be done.
A grassroots advocacy initiative, focused on the General Assembly and Governor Moore to adjust the new law, could succeed, especially when F.A.R.M. already has a key grassroots resource in place.
That resource is the sizable number of voters who signed F.A.R.M.’s petition on SB 931.
These voters have already demonstrated support for and a commitment to F.A.R.M.’s views
They can be mobilized in a grassroots campaign to deliver F.A.R.M.’s messages to legislators and the Governor before and during the 2026 General Assembly session that is only seven months from now.
There are key positive messages F.A.R.M. grassroots advocates can deliver early and often.
- F.A.R.M. supports the concept of solar energy panels to generate electricity.
- F.A.R.M. supports placing solar energy panels on sites other than agricultural land, e.g., brownfields, parking lots, rooftops, industrial sites, airport fields, and median strips.
- F.A.R.M. supports returning all land use planning decisions, including approvals of solar power infrastructure sitting back to their historic and proper place with local governments.
- A 2016 decision by Chesapeake College to install solar panels over a parking lot on their campus in Wye Mills provides a case study on an “everyone wins” outcome.The installation of the solar panels was reported to have produced enough power in one year to offset approximately 45 percent of the college’s energy demand.
Chesapeake College’s Interim president at that time said, “Solar energy has propelled our renewable energy production. In the first year, the array produced 2.25 million kilowatts of electricity at a cost of $106,000. This represents a savings of $85,000 off of grid prices. We anticipate similar savings on utility bills over the next 19 years, which doesn’t include any additional solar installations constructed.”
Last but not least, the Baltimore-based Abell Foundation offers the following thought in their report Getting Solar Siting Right — “Maryland has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to increase its renewable energy capacity and protect vital agricultural land.”
Next year, with “out of the box” thinking, the General Assembly and the Governor can do both.
David Reel is a public affairs and public relations consultant who lives in Easton.
Lea Ann Hudson says
It is good news that solar energy is desired by most. We must continue to do what is best for the planet. I hope that we will see solar panels on top of the police department building on High Street (other bldgs as well) – currently they have an air conditioning unit that comes on (so very noisy) every 10 minutes 24/7 – the taxes we pay – must cost a fortune for that & not environmentally friendly.
Hopefully, FARM will stop using pesticides – we don’t want to eat that and it is killing bees, butterflies, birds, etc. etc. If that is how they want to use land then solar panels would be healthier. Governor West is a gem.
Joseph A. Fick, Jr. says
The petition effort was poorly advertised – I never heard about it.
Fred W.J. Kirchner, Tolchester says
Back in the 1950’s and 60’s Asbestos was introduced as the greatest answer to fire protection. I remember it being promoted at the 1964 World’s Fair in NYC. Then in the late 70’s it was determined that it was a toxic respiratory product. Most all homes and buildings built prior top the 70’s are today considered hazardous due to the potential of Asbestos, and requires trained people in hazmat suits to contain, properly remove and dispose of it. We all still hear the legal commercials looking for any victims.. Today there is a new deadly/toxic danger known as SILICOSIS. An average solar panel contains about 90% of a microscopic, (dust if you wil), known as CRYSTALIZED SILICON, which is made from common beach sand. We use a microscopic chip in the production of transistors, but it is encapulated in an epoxy compound. Today, the enviornmental agencies of many countries including our own EPA and MD-MDE classify crystalized silicon as toxic and hazardous. Some panel distributors claim they use Cadmium Telluride instead, but Cadimum is just as toxic and listed dangerous as a carcinogen also. Most of the silicon is crystalized in third world countries under Chinese contracts. High rates of respiratory failures are being discoverd amogest these workers (according to an Austrailian source). M<any of these panels are being destroyed by storms, hurricanes, tornadoes , hail, and damages often coused and coverd up during construction. If the glass containment is broken, microscopic crystalized silicon will escape to the enviornment. There is considerable controversey about the life of solar panels being 25+ years.. Astro Scientists will make it clear that Solar Panels and Lithium Batteries are NOT compatable to our planet. In the frigit world of outer space, both have lived very successfully for many years with satalites and space stations. The danger may be damage from an asteroid, but this would not affect the atmosphere of our planet. These solar panel projects are all about money, as Asbestos was. Politicians play politics with the promotions, but when the impact of SILICOSIS becomes a political and medical epidemic, they may well be out of office, and gone. The same with the organizations who mfg. distribute and install the systems. Recently in Kent County there was a fire involving solar panels. I wonder if the panels were "broken" and if the volunteer firemen may have been inadvertantly exposed to Silicosis? Has our firefighters and first responders been trained on hazardous and toxic product handling during emergencies. I am NOT a scientist, but I was well trained in the management of industrial chemicals and hazmat operations dealing with many toxic and dangerous products . If anyone reading this wants to learn more just ask Mr. Google about SILCOSIS and CRYSTALIZED SILICON, orf just ask your own enviornmental protection agencies. Now if the world decides that we must "remove and dispose" of the panels, I expect it can be similar to the desposal of used neuclear reactor rods and products.. As a rational suggestion, Today, I am sure Elon Musk will be willing to help load the toxic material onto a large rocket and send it to the SUN !! or somewhere outside our galaxy.. I am not joking.. We vdon't need another Love Canal that created the Critical Area Laws in the 80's. It seems that so many govenments seem to allow serious violations to occur to make more money in waterfront property sales..