October 4, 2026

Ryan told the County Council that Howard County needs clear rules, real local review and a plan before more preserved farmland becomes industrial solar.

West Friendship, MD. Ryan O’Connor, Republican candidate for Howard County Council District 5, testified before the County Council in support of Council Bill 59-2026, Councilman David Yungmann’s bill on commercial solar projects in western Howard County. The Council is scheduled to vote on CB59 on Monday, October 5. Watch Ryan’s testimony above.

“I support renewable energy, but renewable energy policy must be responsible, transparent and balanced,” O’Connor told the Council. “It should not come at the expense of productive farmland, rural character, neighboring property owners or local community input.”

Why Ryan testified

The rules are unclear. Last year Maryland passed the Renewable Energy Certainty Act (RECCA), which changed how solar projects move through local review. O’Connor told the Council the county “does not appear to have complete clarity” on which approval processes, conditions and requirements it can still use. “That uncertainty must be resolved before any additional projects are approved or constructed.”

Preserved farmland is on the line. Howard County has made a commitment to preserve farmland forever. O’Connor testified that, unlike most counties, Howard County has no cap on industrial-scale solar on agricultural preservation land, and called that “reckless and counterproductive.” “Once farmland is converted, that decision cannot simply be undone.”

Neighbors get the costs and none of the benefits. Western Howard County is already facing a growing number of proposed utility-scale solar projects. They can permanently change the farm landscape around them, O’Connor said, “yet surrounding neighborhoods receive no community benefit whatsoever.”

The $25 million figure doesn’t hold up. The county’s fiscal analysis estimated nearly $25 million in potential losses. O’Connor called that misleading because it counts federal investment tax credits paid to private solar developers as if they were county taxpayer dollars. The real fiscal question, he said, is what happens when preserved farmland that often gets reduced tax treatment is converted into commercial-scale solar, and whether the communities next to it see any benefit at all.

“CB59 does not reject solar energy. It gives the county and state time to establish clear, workable rules before more projects move forward,” O’Connor said.

Make your voice heard. If you want the Council to hear from you before Monday’s vote, email all of the Councilmembers at councilmail@howardcountymd.gov.

Read the full testimony

Hi, Chair and members of the County Council. My name is Ryan O’Connor. I was born and raised in Howard County, and I’m raising my family here in West Friendship. I am here in strong support of CB59-2026.

Unlike paid lobbyists, I actually care about my district. This bill is a common-sense temporary pause on certain solar projects while Howard County and the State of Maryland resolve serious unanswered questions created by last year’s RECCA.

I support renewable energy, but renewable energy policy must be responsible, transparent and balanced. It should not come at the expense of productive farmland, rural character, neighboring property owners or local community input.

Unlike most counties, Howard County has no cap on industrial-scale solar use [within] agricultural preservation areas. That is reckless and counterproductive to our commitment to preserve farmland forever. We cannot allow unlimited conversion of preserved farmland into industrial solar facilities without clear safeguards, meaningful local review and a comprehensive plan.

Western Howard County is already facing a growing number of proposed utility-scale solar projects. These projects can permanently change agricultural landscapes and affect nearby residents, yet surrounding neighborhoods receive no community benefit whatsoever.

The county government does not appear to have complete clarity on the approval processes, conditions and requirements it remains able to employ following passage of RECCA. That uncertainty must be resolved before any additional projects are approved or constructed.

I also want to address the fiscal analysis provided by the county fiscal manager, which suggests nearly $25 million in potential losses. That figure is misleading because it conflates federal investment tax credits received by private solar developers with county taxpayer dollars. These are federal incentives, not an immediate loss of county revenue. The real fiscal issue is that agricultural preservation land, often receiving reduced tax treatment, may be converted into commercial-scale solar properties. The county should evaluate that transition transparently, including appropriate commercial taxation and whether nearby communities receive any meaningful benefit.

CB59 does not reject solar energy. It gives the county and state time to establish clear, workable rules before more projects move forward. Once farmland is converted, that decision cannot simply be undone.

I respectfully urge the Council to support CB59-2026 and provide a favorable report. Thank you for your time and consideration.

O’Connor was born and raised in Ellicott City and graduated from Glenelg High School. A finance professional and the father of three children in Howard County Public Schools, he is running to succeed retiring Councilman David Yungmann in District 5. His campaign is built on strong schools, lower taxes and safe communities. He has been endorsed by Councilman Yungmann, the Howard County Association of REALTORS®, the Howard County Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 21, the Howard County Police Supervisors’ Alliance, FOP Lodge 143, and the Howard County Professional Firefighters, IAFF Local 2000.

Early voting runs October 22 through 29. The general election is Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

Contact: Friends of Ryan O’Connor · Ryan@RyanForHoCo.com · RyanForHoCo.com