The proposed bill and house resolution would create stricter rules for solar leases and make solar projects ineligible for a commonly used tax exemption.

Committees in Louisiana's state legislature advanced two pieces of legislation that could slow the development of solar infrastructure in the state, reports Sara Sneath for the Louisiana Illuminator. "House Concurrent Resolution 40 by Rep. Clay Schexnayder (R-Gonzales) will block solar projects from being eligible for industrial tax breaks until July 10, and Senate Bill 185 by Sen. Bret Allain (R-Franklin) will delay the implementation of the solar lease program until a funding source is identified to staff two positions at the Department of Natural Resources for oversight of solar leases."
The legislation has support from Louisiana farmers, the vast majority of whom lease their land, and who worry about losing land to solar developers who can outbid them. "Allain’s bill would task the Department of Natural Resources with promulgating rules for solar leases, including maintenance of the property during the lease, decommissioning and final site closure upon termination of the lease. Allain said his bill was aimed at preventing solar farms from going the way of abandoned oil wells, which lack adequate funding to be plugged and cleaned up." Meanwhile, "HCR 40 would block solar projects from benefiting from the state’s Industrial Tax Exemption Program, which exempts major industrial projects from most property taxes for as long as a decade," despite evidence that "utility-scale solar projects could create thousands of direct and indirect jobs."
Amendments to the resolution, including one that "changed the language of the resolution from 'direct' to 'urge and request' that ITEP be suspended for solar development," could mitigate its effects, but proponents of renewable energy "remained concerned about the message the legislation sends to renewable developers." Advocates expressed disappointment, but were "'not surprised to see Louisiana legislators looking to block clean energy development,' said Logan Atkinson Burke, the executive director of the Alliance for Affordable Energy. 'This is only hurting Louisiana and holding us back from joining the renewable and efficient economy that the rest of the country is moving on.'"
FULL STORY: Legislation to slow down solar development advances in Louisiana Legislature

Amtrak Ramping Up Infrastructure Projects
Thanks to federal funding from the 2021 infrastructure act, the agency plans to triple its investment in infrastructure improvements and new routes in the next two years.

The Unceremonious Death of a Freeway Expansion Project
The end of an Oregon freeway project didn't get much fanfare, but the victory is worth celebrating.

Ending Downtown San Francisco’s ‘Doom Loop’
A new public space project offers an ambitious vision—so why is the city implementing it at such a small scale?

Kaua’i County Uses Long-Range Models to Mandate Resiliency Standards
The county requires builders to assess potential flood risks using models that account for sea level rise projected as far out as 2100.

California Governor Vetoes Autonomous Truck Ban
Gov. Newsom called the new law unnecessary, citing existing efforts by state regulators to develop new rules around autonomous trucking.

Low-Barrier Motel Shelter Is a Success—But Not an Easy One
Many guests at Motels4Now are on their second or third stays—but staff say that's doesn't equal failure, and the numbers bear that out.
Caltrans
San Francisco County Transportation Authority
Planning NEXT
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Washington University
Mpact: Mobility, Community, Possibility
Lassen County Planning and Building Services
City of San Carlos
National Capital Planning Commission
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.