Bill > SB160

This bill revises Montana's alternative energy project laws to strengthen decommissioning and bonding requirements for wind and solar facilities. The legislation mandates that owners of wind and solar facilities must submit a comprehensive decommissioning plan and bond to the Department of Environmental Quality before beginning construction or commercial operation. The bill requires facilities to begin decommissioning within 12 months of abandonment or the end of their useful life, with complete removal and site restoration to be finished within 24 months. The decommissioning process includes dismantling all equipment, removing underground cabling, and restoring the site to its original topography. The bill introduces a two-step bonding process where facilities must initially submit a bond calculated based on site characteristics, market salvage value, and estimated removal costs, with the final bond amount set at 125% of the initial calculation. Facilities constructed before January 1, 2026, are given a grace period to comply, and there are specific exemptions for certain smaller facilities or those with alternative bonding arrangements. The legislation also establishes penalties for failing to submit the required bond, with potential daily fines of up to $1,500, and requires the department to review and potentially adjust bond amounts annually to account for inflation or facility expansions.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC1597