by Kristen E. Humphrey, MLA, Local Assistance and Training Planner
Over two half-days this fall, November 16-17, the Maryland Department of Planning (Planning) will host the inaugural Maryland Statewide Brownfield Conference – Toward Beneficial Reuse. The conference is part of our ongoing commitment to the principles of smart growth, which encourage brownfield redevelopment.
Continue readingby Jason Dubow, Manager, Resource Conservation & Management
In response to the recommendations of the Governor’s Task Force on Renewable Energy and Development, Planning developed the Solar Facility Siting Guidance webpage. The webpage provides information and tools to facilitate the development and adjustment of local land use plans and of recommendations with respect to solar facility siting to achieve local goals and objectives, including:
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Resources and Toolsby Sylvia Mosser
SmartDG+ is shining a light on solar siting in Maryland, ushering in a new era on the wind [turbine]s of change by providing access to mapped data to help developers and local governments evaluate screening factors—like proximity to existing transmission lines—to select prime locations for their solar and wind projects. The mapping tool is co-sponsored by DNR’s Power Plant Research Program (PPRP) and the Maryland Energy Administration. Shawn Seaman with PPRP and Shannon Long with Environmental Resources Management, which is contracted by the State to assist with the application, conducted a live demo of the tool at the recent Planning Director’s Roundtable on Friday, September 20. Shawn explained to the rapt audience that SmartDG+ was developed because smart siting wasn’t working for solar and wind projects in Maryland. Continue reading
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