LITTLESTOWN – State Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33), farmland preservation activists, local farmers and Mount Joy public officials on Tuesday, Aug. 15, at 11 a.m. at Newhart’s Iron Horse Bed and Breakfast will discuss legislation the lawmaker introduced to protect farmland against solar panel overdevelopment in Pennsylvania.
Mastriano introduced Senate Bill 798 to preserve pristine farmland in Pennsylvania by prohibiting large-scale solar panel projects on prime farmland and providing incentives for responsible solar development on alternate sites.
Mount Joy Township supervisors on June 3, 2021, voted to reject a conditional-use permit that would have enabled a company to build 330,000 12-foot-high solar panels on 1,000 acres on 18 farms.
Mastriano’s bill aims to prevent similar projects in the future by encouraging solar panel installation on old industrial sites, capped landfills, warehouse rooftops and other non-agricultural sites.
Participants will include:
- Sen. Doug Mastriano;
- Members of the Adams County Farm Bureau;
- Members of the Franklin County Farm Bureau;
- Lynn Dietrich, Government Committee chair, Pennsylvania State Grange;
- Tom Newhart, owner, Newhart’s Iron Horse Bed and Breakfast;
- Local and county officials.
Newhart’s Iron Horse Bed and Breakfast is located at 726 Plunkert Road, Littlestown. When you see the entrance sign of Newhart’s Old Spring Farm, turn down the long, blacktopped driveway and you will be directed where to park.
View a live video stream of the news conference at www.SenatorMastriano.com.
CONTACT:
Josh Herman
717-787-9603