News & Analysis as of

Solar Energy Zoning Laws

Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard,...

Solar Energy System/Tree Removal: Massachusetts Appellate Court Addresses Zoning Issue

Co-Author Andrew Kutchka The Appeals Court of Massachusetts (“Court”) addressed in a July 9th Opinion an issue arising out of the siting of a governmental solar energy system. See Sunpin Energy Servs., LLC v. Zoning Bd. of...more

Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard,...

Solar Panel Array/Siting: New Hampshire Supreme Court Applies State Solar Development Statute

The Supreme Court of New Hampshire (“Court”) addressed in April 9, 2024 Opinion issues arising out of the installation of a solar array. See Mojalaki Holdings, LLC. v. City of Franklin, 2024 N.H. 17, 2024 WL 1514612 (N.H....more

Hinckley Allen

Massachusetts Appeals Court Curbs Zoning Board Discretion in Special Permit Denial

Hinckley Allen on

The various approvals, permits, orders of conditions, and the like that may be required to proceed with work on a given project can seem daunting at times.  And when a project’s proposed use is not automatically authorized...more

Foley Hoag LLP - Energy & Climate Counsel

MA Appeals Court Sets New Precedent Protecting Solar Development in Local Permitting

A recent decision of the Massachusetts Appeals Court sets an important precedent in favor of solar development in the Commonwealth. In Sunpin Energy Services, LLC v. Zoning Board of Appeals of Petersham, the court unanimously...more

Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard,...

Solar Panels/Subdivision Covenant: Missouri Appellate Court Addresses Enforcement Issue

The Missouri Court of Appeals (Southern District) (“Appellate Court”) addressed in a May 13th Opinion an issue arising out of a homeowner installing solar panels in a subdivision. See Eikmeier v. Granite Springs Home Owners...more

Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard,...

2025 Louisiana Legislative Session: House Bill Proposed to Regulate Solar Facilities

House Bill No. 615 has been proposed in the 2025 Louisiana Legislative Session that would provide for the regulation of solar facilities. HB 615 would establish notice, permitting, and siting requirements for solar power...more

Bricker Graydon LLP

[Event] The Kentucky New Energy Summit - June 9th, Lexington, KY

Bricker Graydon LLP on

The Mid-Atlantic Renewable Energy Coalition (MAREC Action) and Bricker Graydon invite you to join us for an engaging event exploring the future of energy policy in Kentucky. Discover how an “all of the above” energy strategy...more

Williams Mullen

2025 Virginia General Assembly Summary of Energy & Data Center Bills

Williams Mullen on

After a very busy six weeks, the 2025 Virginia General Assembly adjourned sine die on February 22, 2025. This was the 406th Session of the Virginia General Assembly and was considered a “short session”....more

Goulston & Storrs PC

Appeals Court Shines Light on Solar Panel Protections

Goulston & Storrs PC on

Kearsarge Walpole LLC v. Zoning Board of Appeals of Walpole involved a dispute over where a large-scale solar array could be placed in Walpole, Massachusetts. In Kearsarge, a solar developer (Kearsarge), along with Norfolk...more

Bowditch & Dewey

The Commonwealth Needs Solar Power: After Kearsarge and Tracer Lane, Massachusetts Cities and Towns Consider the Limits of Local...

Bowditch & Dewey on

In its unpublished M.A.C. Rule 23.0 decision affirming the Land Court’s ruling, the Massachusetts Appeals Court concluded in Kearsarge Walpole LLC vs. Zoning Bd. of Appeals of Walpole, Mass. App. Ct., No. 23-P-128 (2024) that...more

Moritt Hock & Hamroff LLP

MHH Condo/Co-op Digest, Vol. VIII (June 2024)

This newsletter explores the emerging legal topics and issues affecting the condominium and cooperative services industry. Thought-leading attorneys from Moritt Hock & Hamroff’s Condominium and Cooperative Services Practice...more

Bowditch & Dewey

Prohibiting Non-Accessory BESS Violates Massachusetts Law

Bowditch & Dewey on

On April 2, 2024, the Attorney General’s Municipal Law Unit rejected a portion of the Town of Sherborn’s zoning bylaw amendment pertaining to restrictions on battery energy storage systems (“BESS”), but allowed the...more

Spilman Thomas & Battle, PLLC

Solar Powered Generation Sees Significant Growth while Some Solar Energy is Increasingly Blocked from Production

Our Currents’ focus article this month is on developments in the growth of solar electric power generation and obstacles to future growth that are occurring around the U.S. from environmental groups and other energy producers...more

DarrowEverett LLP

Betting the Farm on Solar: Leasing and Due Diligence Considerations

DarrowEverett LLP on

While imagery of the American Dream used to be picturesque farm towns, robust bounties and families gathered around the table for a meal, values have shifted, and once-robust farming communities have become forgotten lands,...more

BCLP

State Specific Requirements for Wind and Solar Project Land Contracts 2024 Overview

BCLP on

In the U.S., wind and solar project development continues to increase. In fact, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) anticipates that wind and solar energy will continue to exceed electrical generation by other means....more

Bricker Graydon LLP

Ohio Utility-Scale Solar: A Recap of 2023 and Looking Ahead to 2024

Bricker Graydon LLP on

While 2023 was another active year for utility-scale solar development and activity in Ohio, there was a marked decrease in applications filed with the Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB), as well as a decrease in project...more

Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard,...

Solar Array/Zoning: Maine Supreme Court Addresses Definition of Public Utility Facility

The Supreme Judicial Court of Maine (“Supreme Court”) addressed in a November 7th Opinion an issue arising out of a Maine town’s application of its zoning Ordinance to a proposed solar array project. See Odiorne Lane Solar,...more

Bowditch & Dewey

Massachusetts Attorney General Disallows Zoning Restraints on Battery Energy Storage Systems

Bowditch & Dewey on

In its September 19, 2023 letter disapproving the Town of Mansfield’s limitation on battery energy storage systems (“Mansfield letter”), under Warrant Article S15 (Zoning) voted at the Wareham Special Town Meeting of April...more

Sullivan & Worcester

Zoning and Development Newsletter - July 2023

Sullivan & Worcester on

Sullivan's Permitting & Land Use Practice Group and Litigation Department have released the second issue of their Zoning and Development Newsletter. The publication aims to provide our firm's clients and others interested...more

Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP

Demand Rising for Sustainable Housing

According to the Pew Research Center, the majority of Americans view climate change as a major threat and two-thirds believe that the government and corporations should be doing more to address climate change. Young...more

DarrowEverett LLP

Stick It Where the Sun Don’t Shine: Land Use Challenges Siting Large-Scale Ground-Mounted Solar Projects

DarrowEverett LLP on

Federal and state authorities throughout the country have adopted pro-renewable energy policy goals to promote the growth of alternative energy sources using climate-friendly technologies. With the passage of the Inflation...more

Troutman Pepper Locke

New York City’s Proposed “City of Yes ‎for Carbon Neutrality” ‎Zoning Initiative Offers ‎Potential ‎Renewable Energy Boom to...

Troutman Pepper Locke on

New York City Mayor Eric Adams recently officially unveiled a wide-ranging zoning initiative ‎proposal that, if passed by the City Council this October, will not only provide broad-ranging ‎new economic opportunities for...more

Williams Mullen

[Webinar] Renewable Energy Series: Land Use & Solar Permitting Considerations - April 13th, 11:00 am - 11:30 am EST

Williams Mullen on

Since the passage of the Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA) in 2020, the number of solar and other energy projects has grown throughout Virginia. As a result, developers are now confronting a more challenging environment in...more

Beveridge & Diamond PC

Massachusetts Land Court Indicates That Consistency is Key in Applying Zoning Requirements to Solar Projects

Beveridge & Diamond PC on

The Massachusetts Land Court recently struck down a local planning board’s denial of an application for a permit for a large-scale solar project as arbitrary and capricious based on conflicting decisions the board had...more

Allen Matkins

Sustainable Development and Land Use Update - July 2022 #2

Allen Matkins on

California cities get more time to rezone land for housing Bullet Pasadena Star-News – July 11 Southern California cities and counties have received a three-year reprieve from a state deadline to rezone land for future...more

37 Results
 / 
View per page
Page: of 2

"My best business intelligence, in one easy email…"

Your first step to building a free, personalized, morning email brief covering pertinent authors and topics on JD Supra:
*By using the service, you signify your acceptance of JD Supra's Privacy Policy.
- hide
- hide