RICHMOND, VA (Rocktown Now) – A measure in the General Assembly that would have required rural localities to approve vast utility scale solar farms as determined by a state board failed yesterday in the Senate.

Charlottesville Senator Creigh Deeds says his bill would allow Virginia to begin to meet its clean energy goals.

However, Harrisonburg Senator Mark Obenshain argued that approving the bill would set the precedent for the state taking over zoning decisions that localities should be making.

Meanwhile, Rockingham County Board of Supervisor chair Joel Hensley expressed his pleasure with that decision on WSVA’s Early Mornings today.

“It’s important that that bill continues to get tabled,” Hensley said. “It’s never good when you try to take responsibilities from local government away that they’re already used to making.”

The Senate killed the measure by a 20-19 vote and Hensley added that he hopes state lawmakers will move away from that idea as a possibility.