Instructions for signing up to testify (virtually) or submit public comment are here. If you'd like to testify, please get in touch to coordinate with us - [email protected].
(Their website is clunky, if you hit a snag, let us help - [email protected])
Our Executive Director Caroline Taylor and farmer ally Doug Lechlider plus our Pro Bono counsel Bishop Sheehan all testified at an evidentiary hearing full video here.
With the recent passage of "The Renewable Energy Certainty Act" which takes oversight completely out of the hands of local municipalities, more of these arrays on prime soils will be proposed - and built on up to 5000 acres of the Reserve.
Though at the local level, the Planning Board is not upholding the master plan, MCA has become an "intervenor" at the state Public Service Commission that will decide this case. Staff, our pro bono attorneys and farmer partners spent time in Baltimore this week testifying against this proposal that would take prime soils out of production. Please stay tuned.
Bethesda Beat Coverage
MoCo Master Plan |
Chaberton Sugarloaf |
Chaberton Ramire |
Under 2 MW |
4 MW |
3 MW |
Only on Class Soils 3 and above - protect prime soils |
77% on prime class 2 soils |
99% on Prime class 2 soils |
Protection for Streams, Forests, slopes |
None |
None |
Local, transparent conditional use process |
Qazi-judicial process in Baltimore where residents have no standing |
Qazi-judicial process in Baltimore where residents have no standing |
April 14, 2025 6:30 PM
Upper Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Department
19801 Beallsville Road, Beallsville, MD (in person) or on Zoom
Here's How You Can Help:
- Show up! - And Bring a Friend
- Choose to speak at the hearing (coordinate with us to be sure all topics are covered - [email protected])
- Can't make it? - Write in using the PSC portal (open until April 17) here and please reference Case No. 9733 (hit a snag -> [email protected])
Much more info in our recent newsletter on the previous hearing here.
More: We are working to bring balance to a bill at the General Assembly that will open virtually all forests and farms to the siting of industrial scale solar - can you take a moment to personalize a letter to your representatives.