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This bill would limit when the U.S. Department of Agriculture can give financial help for ground-mounted solar projects that would turn farmland away from agricultural use. In general, USDA money could not be used for solar projects that convert farmland to energy production. However, there are a few exceptions for smaller projects, projects mainly used on the farm, or projects that have support from local governments. For some approved projects, the bill would require a plan to protect the land, restore the soil, and set aside enough money to remove the solar system later and repair the farmland. If the project does not follow that plan, the full USDA funding would have to be paid back.
- USDA could not fund solar projects that would convert covered farmland to solar energy use.
- The rule would not apply if the project uses less than 5 acres of farmland, or if it uses less than 50 acres and most of the power is for use on the farm.
- Another exception applies if the project has approval or support from each county and municipality where it is located.
- For projects that qualify under the local-support exception, the applicant must create a farmland conservation plan, protect soil health, restore the land after the project ends, and show enough money is set aside for cleanup and restoration.
- USDA can promise funding before the plan is fully approved, but it cannot actually pay out the money until the applicant meets the required protections.
- If the project fails to follow the required conservation plan, the recipient must repay all USDA assistance given for that project.
Official Summaries
Securing Our Lands and Resources Act or the SOLAR Act
This bill prohibits the Department of Agriculture from providing financial assistance for certain projects that would result in the conversion of covered farmland for solar energy production.
Under the bill, covered farmland generally refers to prime farmland, unique farmland, and farmland that is of statewide or local importance. Conversion means any activity that results in the covered farmland no longer meeting certain requirements for agricultural production, activity, or use.
The bill includes an exception for certain smaller projects that result in the conversion of (1) less than 5 acres of covered farmland, or (2) less than 50 acres of covered farmland if the majority of the energy produced by the project is for on-farm use.
The bill also includes an exception for projects that have the approval or support from the local county and municipality. For these projects, the applicant must (1) develop a farmland conservation plan for the project (e.g., implementing best practices to protect future soil health and productivity), and (2) ensure that sufficient funds are provided for the decommissioning of the solar energy production system and the remediation and restoration of the farmland.
Current Full Text
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1592 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1592
To limit USDA funding for ground-mounted solar energy systems, and for
other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 26, 2025
Mr. Bost (for himself, Mr. Austin Scott of Georgia, Mr. Finstad, and
Mr. Taylor) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Agriculture
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To limit USDA funding for ground-mounted solar energy systems, and for
other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Securing Our Lands and Resources
Act'' or the ``SOLAR Act''.
SEC. 2. LIMITATION ON USDA FUNDING FOR GROUND-MOUNTED SOLAR ENERGY
SYSTEMS.
(a) Definitions.--
(1) Conversion.--The term ``conversion'' means, with
respect to covered farmland, any activity that results in the
covered farmland failing to meet the requirements of a State
(defined in section 343 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991)) for agricultural production,
activity, or use.
(2) Covered farmland.--The term ``covered farmland'' means
farmland, as defined in section 1540(c)(1) of the Farmland
Protection Policy Act (7 U.S.C. 4201(c)(1)).
(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Agriculture.
(b) In General.--The Secretary may not provide financial assistance
for a project that would result in the conversion of covered farmland
for solar energy production.
(c) Exception.--Subsection (b) shall not apply to a project if the
project--
(1) results in the conversion of less than 5 acres of
covered farmland;
(2) results in the conversion of less than 50 acres of
covered farmland, and the majority of the energy produced by
the project is for on-farm use; or
(3) has received a resolution of approval or support, or
other similar instrument from each county and municipality in
which the project is sited.
(d) Covered Farmland Protection.--
(1) Farmland conservation plan required.--A person who has
applied to the Secretary for financial assistance for a project
referred to in subsection (c)(3) shall--
(A) develop a farmland conservation plan for the
project to--
(i) implement best practices to protect
future soil health and productivity, and
mitigate soil erosion, compaction, and other
effects of solar energy production during
construction, operation, and decommissioning;
and
(ii) remediate and restore the soil health
of the farmland to that of the farmland before
the solar energy production project
construction; and
(B) ensure sufficient funds, as determined by the
Secretary, are provided for the decommissioning of the
solar energy production system and the remediation and
restoration of covered farmland to carry out the
farmland conservation plan described in subparagraph
(A).
(2) Obligation and disbursement of funds.--The Secretary
may obligate financial assistance for a project described under
paragraph (1), but shall not disburse the financial assistance
until the Secretary has determined that the applicant for the
financial assistance has complied with paragraph (1).
(3) Farmland conservation plan implementation.--A person
referred to in paragraph (1) shall carry out--
(A) the provisions of the plan that are described
in paragraph (1)(A)(i), on the receipt by the project
of financial assistance from the Secretary and for the
duration of solar energy production under the project;
and
(B) the provisions of the plan that are described
in paragraph (1)(A)(ii), on the cessation of solar
energy production under the project.
(4) Compliance.--Any project that fails to comply with
paragraph (3) with respect to a project shall repay to the
Secretary the full amount of the financial assistance provided
by the Secretary to the person for the project.
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