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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 21 S E P T E M B E R 1 6 , 2 0 2 4 F O C U S A U G U S TA / WAT E R V I L L E / C E N T R A L M A I N E present on a proposed solar site. If so, the agency would require an additional study to see if the project could be amended in some way — perhaps by shifting or relo- cating its footprint — before seeking a permit, although a permit-by-rule could be granted to projects of less than 20 acres or on farmland impacted by harm- ful chemicals known as PFAS. Developers could reduce how much compensation they owe if they incorpo- rate dual-use or agrivoltaic features, like sheep grazing or crop production, for up to 300 MW of a given solar project on high-value agricultural land. e DACF notes in a memo on its proposed rule that most solar projects won't be impacted since "only ~13% of Maine would be designated as [high- value agricultural land]" based on the amount of lands classified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as prime farmland, farmland of statewide impor- tance or locally valuable farmland. But what farmland would be con- sidered "high-value" became a point of concern during the rulemaking's pub- lic comment period, essentially boil- ing down to the idea that one farmer's trash might be another's treasure. Numerous commenters at an Aug. 19 public hearing on the rulemaking says the definition would limit their income-generation potential, while others were concerned about what the definition would consider. Julie Ann Smith, a lobbyist with the Maine Farmers Coalition, says her organization was concerned by "the lack of involvement of the farmers and the landowners in this process." She sug- gested that soil testing alone wouldn't show the full picture of how useful a plot is, using the example that soil could test well but not produce much because of how wet the area is. "ere is a much broader perspective that needs to be included when you are considering what prime agricultural land looks like," says Smith. "It is much more complex than just the soil itself; there are a lot of factors that go into it." Contentious issue State Rep. Scott Landry, D-Chesterville/ Farmington, co-sponsor of the bill, says that he hadn't thought that defining high-value agricultural land would be as contentious as it is, pointing to the legis- lation's bipartisan backing. "We realize the farmers need this [additional revenue stream], but the way I look at it, all of their land is not prime, it's not going to fit into that category," says Landry, who lives on a small farm Business Banking with Local Decision Making. Kennebec Savings Bank offers the financial products and solutions to keep up with your growing needs. Call (207) 622-5801 to prioritize your success! www.KennebecSavings.Bank NOW OPEN AT 53 BAXTER BLVD., PORTLAND YOUR LOCAL BANKING PARTNER Make new connections with the Millinocket business community! PRESEN T ING SP ONSOR REGIONAL SP ONSORS HORS D'OEUVRES / CASH BAR / NETWORKING WITH AREA BUSINESS EXECUTIVES S PACE IS S PACE IS L IMITED L IMITED, BE S URE TO , BE S URE TO R EG IS TER! R EG IS TER! Please register ahead at mainebiz.biz/OTRMillinocket24 S E P T E M B E R 2 5 / 4 – 6 P M / H I L L C R E S T G O L F C O U R S E , M I L L I N O C K E T MILLINOCKET C O N T I N U E D O N F O L L OW I N G PA G E »

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