APPROVED CHAPTER
MAY 23, 2025 106
BY GOVERNOR PUBLIC LAW
STATE OF MAINE
_____
IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD
TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-FIVE
_____
S.P. 496 - L.D. 1207
An Act to Amend the Site Location of Development Laws to Require a 100-
foot Buffer Between Solar Energy Developments and Rivers, Streams and
Brooks
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 38 MRSA §484, sub-§11 is enacted to read:
11. Special provision; solar energy development. In the case of a proposed solar
energy development, the development will not be constructed within 100 feet of a river,
stream or brook. This subsection does not apply to vegetation removal activities necessary
for shade management or road or utility line crossings within 100 feet of a river, stream or
brook.
As used in this subsection, "solar energy development" means a development that uses a
solar energy system consisting of ground-mounted solar panels to convert solar energy to
electrical energy and includes generating facilities and associated facilities.
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