The state of Maryland hopes to reach a 14.5% share of renewable energy statewide by 2028

EASTERN SHORE, Md – The state of Maryland has a goal of 14.5 percent of all energy coming from solar by 2028, but not everyone in Delmarva is happy about that.

Michael Sanderson, executive director of the Maryland Association of Counties, said he understands their motives, but the state is being very ambitious. “They’ve been pretty aggressive, which suits the policymakers in Annapolis. We want Maryland to be a leader on this front, and we want to make progress on clean energy,” Sanderson said.

Worcester County Chief Administrative Officer Weston Young believes the state is taking the easy way out. “The Eastern Shore is the easy way out because the land is cheaper and ultimately affordable housing, conservation efforts, green space and solar should be spread across all counties in the state.”

Solar developers are finding local counties more attractive for land to buy, but Young believes people in our local communities may not be the ones getting the most benefit. “I don’t want to speak for the entire coast, but there is a belief that these moves are going to feed people across the bay.”

Low-lying, flat areas with lots of agricultural land will be hit hardest by these solar projects, which will take up a large part of the agricultural land.

Young wants local leaders to have more control, to help the community in the best way possible. “At the end of the day, counties want local autonomy, they want to be able to develop Worcester County, Somerset County, Wicomico County the way those communities want to develop.”