Montgomery County is proud of its deep agricultural roots, scenic landscapes and close-knit communities. As we work to preserve these assets while facing the pressures of modernization and growth, we must confront a growing challenge: the unchecked spread of large-scale solar installations across thousands of acres of our farmland.

Let me be clear: Montgomery County supports property owners and their rights to use their land. Landowners are vital stewards of our local economy, especially in our agricultural sector.

However, those rights should not come at the expense of the broader community. When individual decisions lead to widespread consequences — loss of productive farmland, diminished rural character and irreversible damage to the natural beauty that drives tourism and community pride — we have a responsibility to speak up.

Currently, several large-scale solar projects are being........

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