Bay Journal
As of 11pm on May 31st, our coalition across the state fell short of the 20,000 signatures needed to start a ballot referendum process to bring the Renewable Energy Certainty Act (SB931) to a vote.
A statement from Farmers for Rural Maryland (FARM) who coordinated the effort in which MCA was proud to partner:
Statement from Jay Falstad on behalf of FARM
10:00 PM, Saturday, May 31
We have come to Annapolis tonight to submit thousands of signed petitions to put SB 931—the solar land-grab bill—on the ballot for Maryland citizens to vote up or down. The turnout against this bill over just a few days of signature collection has been extraordinary.
But due to the Election Board’s last-minute decision to advance the submission deadline, our petition drive was severely disrupted. As a result, we have fallen short of the number of signatures required—and the disruption was so significant that even the originally stated Monday deadline would no longer be sufficient.
Accordingly, we have no choice but to suspend the signature collection effort and extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who worked to preserve Maryland farmland.
The private solar developers have had their hands on the controls of the Annapolis political machine throughout the push to enact SB 931. Today is just more evidence of that. But FARM is not finished—we have other options, and we will pursue them.
I remain convinced that Marylanders will not surrender our agricultural sector to solar developers. Keep the faith—FARM will be back. And again, thank you to the thousands who took the time and effort to sign a petition.
New: A video breaking down how the referendum effort fell short from our partners at FARM.
A statement from Farmers for Rural Maryland (FARM) who coordinated the effort in which MCA was proud to partner:
Statement from Jay Falstad on behalf of FARM
10:00 PM, Saturday, May 31
We have come to Annapolis tonight to submit thousands of signed petitions to put SB 931—the solar land-grab bill—on the ballot for Maryland citizens to vote up or down. The turnout against this bill over just a few days of signature collection has been extraordinary.
But due to the Election Board’s last-minute decision to advance the submission deadline, our petition drive was severely disrupted. As a result, we have fallen short of the number of signatures required—and the disruption was so significant that even the originally stated Monday deadline would no longer be sufficient.
Accordingly, we have no choice but to suspend the signature collection effort and extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who worked to preserve Maryland farmland.
The private solar developers have had their hands on the controls of the Annapolis political machine throughout the push to enact SB 931. Today is just more evidence of that. But FARM is not finished—we have other options, and we will pursue them.
I remain convinced that Marylanders will not surrender our agricultural sector to solar developers. Keep the faith—FARM will be back. And again, thank you to the thousands who took the time and effort to sign a petition.
New: A video breaking down how the referendum effort fell short from our partners at FARM.
Here at MCA we'd like to thank FARM and all the thousands who signed petitions here in MoCo and across the state and circulated them to their friends, putting up with a decidedly antiquated and complicated process to get as many signatures as possible with very, very little time. We missed the mark - but your efforts mattered greatly.
What's Next?
We are undeterred.
Prime, protected soils don't belong under solar and battery storage. Solar lease rates of 10-20x what farmers pay are devastating to rural areas and the new, diverse crop of farmers seeking land.
What's Next?
We are undeterred.
Prime, protected soils don't belong under solar and battery storage. Solar lease rates of 10-20x what farmers pay are devastating to rural areas and the new, diverse crop of farmers seeking land.
- MCA and our partners have become intervenors in the quasi-judicial process of two Chaberton Energy proposed projects that would take many acres of the very best soils in the Ag Reserve out of production for a generation in conflict with the master plan. It's unclear what SB931 means for this effort.
- Also: Chaberton Energy was pleased to boast about their involvement in SB931 - flaunting their influence on the bill while Farmers were completely shut out of the process with an inartful "room where it happens" reference. Who else was in that room? The lawyer for another Maryland solar company - because he is also the Senate President who pushed this bill forward at every stage.
A new state law prioritizes 100,000 acres of Maryland's protected farmland (including 5000 acres of the Ag Reserve) for solar and battery storage. Farmers were not granted a seat at the table in crafting this law. **We need 20,000 signatures by Saturday 5/31*** to complete the first step of getting this on the ballot. Can you help?
We are working with Farmers for Rural Maryland (FARM) of the Eastern Shore to gather as many signatures as possible. The process is rather lumpy, to add your name to this effort please carefully complete the following steps:
1. READ THE DIRECTIONS FIRST - your signature could be discounted for any number of reasons. It needs to be printed, signed properly and sent to our friends in Centerville (ideally popping in the mail by Tuesday by 5) to make the deadline.
The pages you must print front and back are here
1. READ THE DIRECTIONS FIRST - your signature could be discounted for any number of reasons. It needs to be printed, signed properly and sent to our friends in Centerville (ideally popping in the mail by Tuesday by 5) to make the deadline.
The pages you must print front and back are here
1.5 New - there are three locations in Montgomery County that folks can come sign in person (until Saturday Afternoon 5/31) :
Farm and Home Services - 16315 Old River Road Poolesville, MD 20837 (Friday till 5, Saturday 8-4)
Barnesville Post Office: 22110 Beallsville Rd, Barnesville, MD 20838 (Friday till 5 Saturday 9-12)
Lewis Orchards: 18901 Peach Tree Rd, Dickerson, MD 20842 (11-5pm Saturday)
Farm and Home Services - 16315 Old River Road Poolesville, MD 20837 (Friday till 5, Saturday 8-4)
Barnesville Post Office: 22110 Beallsville Rd, Barnesville, MD 20838 (Friday till 5 Saturday 9-12)
Lewis Orchards: 18901 Peach Tree Rd, Dickerson, MD 20842 (11-5pm Saturday)
2. Sign Properly and Gather Signatures from Friends/Neighbors properly - again, please read the instructions.
3. Send it -quick! (if you don't sign in person) Refer to the instructions for the address and include your phone number in any mailings you send to FARM if they have questions. At this point - visit Lewis/ Farm and Home to sign in person.
That address is: QACA/FALSTAD, P.O. Box 157, Centreville, MD 21617
4. Let us know you took action. With how low tech this process is, we have no way of tracking how we are doing toward the goal of 20k signatures. Once you send your signatures, take one minute to let us know right here.
3. Send it -quick! (if you don't sign in person) Refer to the instructions for the address and include your phone number in any mailings you send to FARM if they have questions. At this point - visit Lewis/ Farm and Home to sign in person.
That address is: QACA/FALSTAD, P.O. Box 157, Centreville, MD 21617
4. Let us know you took action. With how low tech this process is, we have no way of tracking how we are doing toward the goal of 20k signatures. Once you send your signatures, take one minute to let us know right here.
