N.J. considers bill encouraging farms to generate clean power

TRENTON, N.J. -- For centuries, farming has involved plowing the fields and tending to livestock.

Soon, farmers in New Jersey may also be tending to solar panels and windmills.

New Jersey lawmakers are contemplating a bill that defines solar and wind energy generation as agricultural activity. The measure aims to promote alternative energy sources, but has been criticized as a possible danger to farmland preservation efforts.

The bill would allow the owners of preserved farmland to construct, operate and install solar or wind energy facilities or equipment on their farms. The generated power could be used to operate the farm or be sold to a utility company.

The law also would protect solar and wind power generation on farms from nuisance complaints from neighbors, similar to protections farmers have from complaints about the smell of manure, for instance.

"It's very hard for people to get out of that traditional thinking that the only farming there is when you dig up dirt and plant seed," said state Sen. Bob Smith, who is sponsoring the bill.

He acknowledged his bill is an "attempt to think outside the box when it comes to farming," but also said farming and energy are already tied together, noting ethanol is made from corn.

"The environmental goals of renewable energy and farmland preservation are not mutually exclusive," Smith said.

Critics question whether Smith's bill would hurt farmland conservation.

Alison Mitchell, a policy director with the New Jersey Conservation Foundation, said she appreciates efforts to promote solar and wind energy, but said farmland preservation is meant to save agriculture and farmland -- not spur new construction on preserved land.

Susan Kraft, the New Jersey Agriculture Committee executive director, questioned whether power generation should be even considered farming.

"I think this crosses a line that the public did not intend," Kraft said.

Jaclyn Rhoads, director for conservation policy for the Pinelands Preservation Alliance, said she worried that opening the door to solar and wind energy construction on preserved farms could lead to other facilities being built on preserved farmland.

The bill has cleared a Senate committee is awaiting a vote by the full Senate. It hasn't received Assembly consideration.

Using solar panels on farms is not a new concept. Sixth-generation farmer Ronny Lee has 360 solar panels on his Lee Turkey Farm near Princeton.

Lee had solar panels installed before his 54-acre farm was preserved, so he didn't face problems with building restrictions. "It runs all the heat lamps in the buildings for the turkeys and things like that. It actually runs the houses, too. It runs everything," Lee said.

State Sen. Raymond Lesniak, the Senate's economic growth chairman, said he isn't worried about the aesthetics of putting energy production facilities on preserved farms. Lesniak recalled biking in France and said the windmills there are "majestic" and "lift your spirits."

"Four-dollars plus for a gallon of gasoline," said Lesniak, D-Union. "The economy in bad shape. The old ways of thinking things have to be looked at over and over again."