Bill > HB05916

This bill requires solar developers to provide a farmland restoration bond for solar photovoltaic projects with a capacity of two or more megawatts that are located on prime farmland or forestland, regardless of whether the project is approved through a formal certificate application or a declaratory ruling by the Siting Council. The bill amends existing law to mandate that developers furnish a bond to cover all decommissioning costs and land restoration expenses, including a comprehensive soil assessment by a qualified professional. This assessment must evaluate factors such as topsoil and subsoil depths, soil compaction, drainage alterations, erosion control, and soil fertility. The goal is to ensure that prime farmland used for solar installations can be effectively restored to agricultural use after the solar project's lifecycle is complete. By extending the bond requirement to both application and declaratory ruling processes, the bill aims to provide consistent environmental protection and land preservation standards for solar energy development projects.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Environment Committee (Joint)

https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=HB05916&which_year=2025