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By Kevin Bessler | The Center Square
A bill at the Illinois statehouse would increase the distance solar farms could be placed from homes.
Currently, commercial solar energy facilities can be located within 50 feet of a home and 150 feet from a multi-family residence, but proposed legislation would increase that to 500 feet.
State Rep. Anthony DeLuca, D-Chicago Heights, sponsors House Bill 4135 and said many residents in his district don’t want to live next door to a solar farm.
“We don’t know what the health concerns might be of a solar farm, we don’t like the way they look, we’re concerned about how it might impact property values,” DeLuca said. “Those are the three most common concerns I would hear.”
During a House Energy and Environment Committee hearing this week, Michael Morthland with the group American Clean Power Association said changing current Illinois law would set the state back in its clean energy goals.
“By doing so, we would jeopardize investment and revenue performers for local land owners, it would halt job creation and cut local tax revenue that schools and rural communities have come to rely on,” Morthland said.
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