Tell Your Legislators to Stand Up for Farmers and Clean Energy
Solar energy could play an important role in meeting North Carolina’s climate goals. This legislation moves in the opposite direction by disincentivizing solar projects through removing a property tax exemption. Without this exemption, existing solar projects will likely close, leaving the landowners (many of whom are farmers) without promised income, counties without taxes they were counting on, and could also increase rates for energy for ratepayers statewide.
Want to learn more before taking action? Read more below⬇️
Take Action! Contact Your Legislators
Bill Originally Limited Economic Opportunities for Farmers
Originally, House Bill 729 erroneously named “Farmland Protection Act” infringed on farmers’ property rights by making it illegal for them to lease their land for solar projects. This was so widely unpopular that bill sponsors have removed that part of the bill.
Part of the reason it was so unpopular was because solar actually benefits farmers. On average, farmers see a 10-15x increase in revenue generated on land from solar over agricultural uses. Taking away this option for farmers deeply diminishes their income options during a time of economic instability.
Solar projects don’t just benefit farmers, though, they also benefit the surrounding community and economy. A study by the North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association, solar developments have led to an average 1,682% increase in property tax revenue paid to counties on parcels with solar projects vs. previous property rates.
Solar Could Save Farms
Some may claim solar is threatening to crowd out agriculture, but solar only occupies 0.12% of the total land area of North Carolina and 0.28% of agricultural land.This represents only about 4% of total agricultural land loss from 2001-2016. By contrast, other forms of development, especially low-density residential development, comprise 78% of the total agricultural land loss over that time.
Additionally, sometimes leasing some land for solar allows farmers to keep the rest of the land in agriculture, whereas if it is sold for housing development the entire farm is lost forever. While legislators have removed these restrictions on farmers, the removal of tax exemption could still hurt farmers. If this bill passes, many landowners (many of whom are farmers) could be left without this promised income and lead to them shut down their farms. This bill could easily backfire and lead to more farmland loss to greedy developers.
We commend legislators for the removal of these restrictions on farmers, but we also urge them to oppose this bill and efforts to disincentivize the solar industry in our state.
Disincentivizing Solar & Hurting our Economy
Removing restrictions on farmers isn’t enough. Legislators should oppose House Bill 729 because it still hurts our economy.
House Bill 729 eliminates the property tax exemption on the appraised value of solar projects. Without this exemption, existing solar projects will likely close, leaving the landowners (many of whom are farmers) without promised income, counties without taxes they were counting on, and could also increase rates for energy for ratepayers statewide.
Additionally, the solar industry employs 7,000 North Carolinians and has delivered over $15 billion in investments – the majority of which benefit the most economically distressed counties in our state. Solar developments have also led to an average 1,682% increase in property tax revenue paid to counties on parcels with solar projects vs. previous property rates, according to a study by the North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association. This revenue can then be used by the county to bring further economic growth, benefiting our families, communities, and state.
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An overwhelming majority of North Carolinians want a just transition to renewable energy. They know these renewable energy sources aren’t just good for our environment, but for our economy. Help us make that happen by becoming a donor today. Your donation helps us to make changes at the general assembly, in communities across NC, and at the ballot box.
