Bill would curb residential solar energy bans

Residents governed by homeowners associations could not be prohibited from taking advantage of solar energy under a bill discussed by the Judiciary Committee Feb. 21.

LB621, introduced by Omaha Sen. Rick Kolowski, would prohibit an HOA from adopting or enforcing clauses that prevent a homeowner from installing a solar energy system on his or her home or buildings.

Altering an HOA covenant requires approval by 100 percent of property owners, Kolowski said, so making changes from within an association is very difficult.

“Cities and federal agencies offer incentives and tax benefits for the installation of solar energy and other renewable energy systems,” he said. “Yet it’s common for homeowners associations to ban solar energy systems.”

Matt Gregory, representing the Nebraska Farmers Union, supported the bill. Homeowners associations should not be a barrier to clean, renewable energy, he said.

“Nebraska needs to be doing more to encourage and promote renewable energy, specifically solar and wind [energy],” Gregory said. “This would allow homeowners to be a part of the solution to climate change while saving money on their electric bills.”

Scott Williams of Omaha also spoke in favor of LB621. We live in an era increasingly impacted by global climate change, he said, and the negative consequences will continue to be felt in agriculture-based states like Nebraska.

“Nebraska is blessed with abundant wind and solar resources,” Williams said. “We need support, not barriers.”

No one spoke in opposition to the bill and the committee took no immediate action on it.