TACIR approves final report on utility-scale solar, urges state guidance and consumer protections
February 01, 2024 | TACIR, Joint, Committees, Legislative, Tennessee
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The Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations voted to approve its final report on utility-scale solar energy development, prepared in response to Public Chapter 1043, Acts of 2022. The report updates facility maps and lists, incorporates stakeholder comments, and outlines recommendations for state action.
Jennifer Berry, who presented the report, said staff added material in response to members’ questions and stakeholder input, including projections through 2040 for farmland loss, an industry response on economic viability, and additional details on lithium batteries and eminent domain. “We prepare the report in response to public chapter 10 43 acts of 2022, which directs the commission to study 14 points,” Berry said in her presentation.
The commission’s recommendations include that the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) Office of Energy Programs expand and maintain an online resource hub offering guidance for local governments, landowners, developers and the public; the office similarly should expand online guidance for residential solar. The report also recommends the General Assembly consider raising the penalty for violations of the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act when the good or service exceeds a monetary threshold, while recognizing the need to avoid undermining past tort reform efforts.
Commission members offered no substantive edits during the meeting, and the chair called for a motion; the body approved the final report by voice vote. The commission will file the approved report to meet the Sept. 30, 2023, reporting deadline set by the enabling statute.
Next steps: the report’s recommendations direct TDEC’s Office of Energy Programs to continue outreach and resource development and suggest legislative consideration of consumer-protection penalties. The commission did not adopt additional statutory text; the report is advisory and carries no independent regulatory force.
Jennifer Berry, who presented the report, said staff added material in response to members’ questions and stakeholder input, including projections through 2040 for farmland loss, an industry response on economic viability, and additional details on lithium batteries and eminent domain. “We prepare the report in response to public chapter 10 43 acts of 2022, which directs the commission to study 14 points,” Berry said in her presentation.
The commission’s recommendations include that the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) Office of Energy Programs expand and maintain an online resource hub offering guidance for local governments, landowners, developers and the public; the office similarly should expand online guidance for residential solar. The report also recommends the General Assembly consider raising the penalty for violations of the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act when the good or service exceeds a monetary threshold, while recognizing the need to avoid undermining past tort reform efforts.
Commission members offered no substantive edits during the meeting, and the chair called for a motion; the body approved the final report by voice vote. The commission will file the approved report to meet the Sept. 30, 2023, reporting deadline set by the enabling statute.
Next steps: the report’s recommendations direct TDEC’s Office of Energy Programs to continue outreach and resource development and suggest legislative consideration of consumer-protection penalties. The commission did not adopt additional statutory text; the report is advisory and carries no independent regulatory force.
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