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
To limit USDA funding for ground-mounted solar energy systems, and for other purposes.
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.