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Meeting Public Comments

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SSB 1077
A bill for an act relating to commercially owned solar panel field installation on agricultural land.
Agenda
Subcommittee members: Zumbach-CH, Bisignano, Driscoll
Date: Monday, January 30, 2023
Time: 12:30 PM - 1:00 PM
Location: Senate Lounge
Comments Submitted:
The purpose of comments is to provide information to members of the subcommittee.
Names and comments are public records. Remaining information is considered a confidential record.

01-30-2023
William Hoffman
Again, proposing to limit what an Iowan does on their land that is zoned agricultural is just another overstep by government. Commercial solar easement agreements in Iowa are paying $500$2000 an acre per year in Iowa. No risk of drought, pests, derecho, hail, lack of fertilizer, or skyrocketing fuel inputs. Many farmers would love and possibly beg to have a return like this. Some may have concerns with preserving their family legacy and commercial solar opportunities may be a way of preserving that. Lastly, the commodity groups will oppose this because "we need ethanol and the ethanol markets". Ok, but last week's rolling brownouts in Northern Iowa would suggest we need reliable energy to keep our lights on and worry about ethanol later because I'm certain ethanol production can't happen without electricity.