An Act to Protect
Maine Legislature, Session 132, LD 0830
Committee Amendment CA_A_S100 (Senate)
Amends: 38 MRSA §484-E

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A II to S.P. 357, L,D, 830, "An Act to Protect 
Maine's Scenic Beauty by Requiring Sola1· Panel Fields to Be Hidden from View" 
Amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting the following: 
'An Act to Protect Maine's Scenic Beauty Through the Regulation of Solar Energy 
Developments Under the Site Location of Developme,nt Laws' 
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and inse11ing the 
following: 
• 
'Sec, 1. 38 MRSA §484-E is enacted to read: 
§484-E, Additional standards for solar energy developments 
In addition to other standards required by 01· pursuant to this a11icle, the department 
shall evaluate a proposed solar energy development in acco1·dance with this section. 
1. Evaluation criteria. The department shall evaluate the effects of the proposed solar 
energy development on scenic character and existing uses related to scenic character. The 
evaluation must include. but is not limited to, consideration of: 
A. The significance of the scenic characte1· that may potentially be affected by the 
proposed solar energy development: 
B. The existing scenic character and existing uses related to scenic character in the 
area surrounding the proposed solar energy development: and 
C. The expectations of the typical viewer in viewing the proposed solar energy 
development. 
2. Measures required, If, following the evaluation under subsection 1. the depa11ment 
finds that the proposed solar energy development will have an advel'se effect on scenic 
character and existing uses related to scenic character. the depat1ment. after consultation 
with the local land use authority, shall require the developer to adopt measures designed to 
protect scenic character and existing uses, which may include, but are not limited to, visual 
screening measures such as the construction of a fence surrounding the solar energy 
Page I - 132LR1767(02) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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16. 
COMMITI'EE AMENDMENT "/1 "to S.P. 357, L.D. 830 { Y / DO) 
development or the planting or maintenance of trees. bushes or other vegetation 
surrounding the solar energy development. 
As used in this section, "solar energy development" means a development that uses a 
solar energy system consisting of ground-mounted solar panels to convert sola1· energy to 
electrical energy and includes generating facilities and associated facilities.' 
Amend the bill by relettering or renumbering any nonconsecutive Pait letter or section 
number to read consecutively. 
.SUMMARY 
This amendment, which is the minority repott of the committee, changes the title of 
and replaces the bill. It amends the site location of development laws to provide that, in 
reviewing a proposed solar energy development, the Department of Environmental 
Protection is requfred to evaluate the effects of the development on scenic character and 
existing uses related to scenic character. The amendment requires that, if the depa1tment 
finds that the proposed development will have an adverse effect on scenic character and 
existing uses related to scenic charncter, the depa1tment, after consultation with the local 
land use authority, must require the developer to adopt measures designed to protect scenic 
character and existing uses. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUffiED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 04/03/25 l-Rl-
LD 830 
LR 1767(02) 
An Act to P1·otect Maine's Scenic Beauty by Requiring Solar Panel Fields to Be Hidden from View 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment ''A' ( $-, J o6) 
Committee: Environment and Natural Resources 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - Other Special Revenue Funds 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Any additional costs to the Department of Environmental Protection from the provisions of this bill are expected to be 
minot· and can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources. 
LRl 767(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1