California Gov. Gavin Newsom today signed Assembly Bill 1156 (Wicks), furthering California’s clean energy leadership and creating a pathway for solar development on agricultural lands facing severe groundwater constraints.
AB 1156 addresses the challenges associated with evolving agricultural land-use needs. As groundwater in over-drafted basins becomes increasingly constrained, many agricultural areas of the state face major economic and sustainability challenges. AB 1156 creates an opportunity for landowners to help advance the state’s renewable energy goals through appropriate use of parcels that are no longer suitable for agricultural use.
“AB 1156 is a tangible example of California’s dedicated effort to find solutions to complex problems,” said Shannon Eddy, Executive Director of the Large-scale Solar Association.
“It creates new economic opportunities for agricultural communities confronting serious water constraints while helping California build the clean energy resources it needs. We appreciate Assemblymember Wicks, Governor Newsom and his Administration, and the many collaborative stakeholders who worked over several years to reach this outcome.”
Governor Newsom’s signature marks an important milestone for California’s clean energy and agricultural communities.
California Legacy Partnership is grateful to Assemblymember Buffy Wicks and all of the coalition partners and individuals who supported this effort.