By refusing to change zoning requirements or issue the necessary permits, local officials-- often on aesthetic grounds -- have long inhibited homeowners from outfitting their properties with energy-saving amenities like solar panels and wind turbines.
According to USA Today, states legislators eager to promote renewable energy are fed up:
Since 2005, eight states — including four last year — have enacted laws to abolish stringent rules imposed by some homeowners associations and local agencies on residents who want to power their homes with the sun or wind. Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley signed such a bill two weeks ago. Final action is near in Virginia and Florida.
Homeowners in Illinois are among those still waiting for such legislation. Democrats in Springfield have introduced Senate Bill 526, which would "provide that no bylaw or action of a homeowners' association, property owners' association, or a condominium unit owners' association shall prohibit or be interpreted to prohibit a solar energy system or other energy device based on a renewable resource." But the bill was re-referred to the House Rules Committee in January after a slew of deadline extensions and doesn't seem to have much clout behind it.
On the national level, both the Senate and House introduced bills that would protect homeowners wanting to go solar last year, but neither garnered much attention.
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