Opinion: RI needs solar development. But not at the expense of our forests.

Rep. Megan Cotter, D-Exeter, represents District 39.

Rhode Island needs both renewable energy and the forest to comply with the R.I. Act on Climate. However, solar development is responsible for 69% of Rhode Island’s forest loss since 2018, according to the Department of Environmental Management.

Continuing to provide economic incentives to clear cut thousands of trees in pursuit of renewable energy is unacceptable and unnecessary. It is counterproductive for Rhode Island to continue to encourage the development of forests that are needed to help the state mitigate the harmful effects of climate change as well as provide clean air, water, habitat and contribute to our quality of life. We can and must do better.

More: Solar development can mean a loss of open space. These bills aim to control that in Rhode Island.

More: Top environmental issues facing RI lawmakers in 2023: Solar farm siting, curbing emissions

I introduced Bill H5540 that would establish more responsible solar siting. This bill that was written by Grow Smart Rhode Island will remove the economic incentives that are encouraging solar development on forests. Instead, it will direct these incentives to limit solar development to previously developed and disturbed “preferred sites” that include landfills, gravel pits, brownfields, carports, commercial and industrial zones and all rooftops. These preferred sites have by far the least conflicts for solar siting, and solar development can be accelerated in appropriate locations. This will also remove solar development pressure off our farms, forests and important wildlife habitats. Moreover, the public will stop paying for solar development on forests by the extra fees they pay on their monthly electric bills.

A field of solar panels installed at a capped landfill in East Providence.
A field of solar panels installed at a capped landfill in East Providence.

To be successful in the fight against climate change, Rhode Island must achieve two broad objectives. First, the state needs to eliminate carbon emissions ASAP. The second objective is to remove and store the massive amounts of carbon that have already been released into the atmosphere. Renewable energy addresses the first objective but, unlike forests, can’t remove or store carbon.

The U.S. Climate Alliance has determined that as the impacts of climate change continue to intensify, it is essential that we safeguard and enhance the capacity of forests and natural lands to absorb and store carbon. The General Assembly in 2021 adopted the R.I. Forest Conservation Act. This act stated that forest land should be maintained to meet Rhode Island's aggressive climate change goals.

More: New program will help lower income homeowners get solar panels. Here's how it works.

The good news is that Rhode Island can meet our renewable energy goals without sacrificing our forests.

A 2020 study titled Solar Siting Opportunities for Rhode Island analyzed developed and disturbed sites including rooftop, landfill, gravel pit, brownfield, commercial/industrial and carport solar. These are the preferred sites in my bill. This study found there was the potential on these developed/disturbed sites to site solar that could eliminate as much as 70 percent of Rhode Island’s total, current greenhouse gas emissions.

For all these reasons, it is imperative that H5540 be adopted this year. Next year is simply too late!

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI needs both solar development and forests | Opinion Column