HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) — A state senator from western Maryland is pushing for a higher lease rate on state prison land near Hagerstown where the governor’s administration envisions a large-scale, solar-energy project.

Washington County Republican Christopher Shank says the proposed lease rate of $128 an acre isn’t enough. The deal is up for approval by the state Board of Public Works on Wednesday.

The Herald-Mail of Hagerstown newspaper reports that Shank expressed his concerns in a letter Friday to Gov. Martin O’Malley.

Democratic state Delegate John Donoghue, also of Washington County, says Shank is trying to kill the project.

Maryland Solar LLC of Easton wants to build the 20-megawatt solar farm on 250 state-owned acres near the medium-security Maryland Correctional Institution. It would be Maryland’s largest solar farm.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)