TALLAHASSEE, Florida — A state Senate committee on Wednesday advanced a bill repealing a 2021 state law requiring counties to allow solar power plants on agricultural and rural lands.
Details: The Senate Committee on Regulated Industries voted 8-0 to advance the bill, FL SB1304 (25R), after several rural county commissioners complained about proliferation of solar in their counties.
DeSoto County Commissioner Elton Langford said he heard utilities are considering buying thousands of acres in his county for solar. But he had to tell a crowded boardroom full of opponents he can’t help them because his hands are tied by the Legislature.
“They [utilities] are buying this land up like there’s no tomorrow,” Langford told senators. “So between development taking our land away from us and solar power taking our land away from us, ag is starting to suffer in this country.”
