earlier version of VanValkenburg’s bill would have prohibited local governments from banning solar installations outright
After pushback, the legislation was softened to say localities couldn’t limit the total amount, density or size of solar or energy storage projects as long as the overall area covered by panels within the locality remained under 4% of its land
solar industry and environmental groups argued the bill was necessary for the state to meet the requirements of the VCEA given bans and limits imposed by some local governments on solar projects
bill dead for the year after a House subcommittee voted Tuesday to carry the proposal over to 2025
Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg, D-Richmond, said he “will be back”