Bill > S728

This bill establishes comprehensive regulations for utility-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) in North Carolina, requiring owners to obtain a permit from the Department of Environmental Quality before installing or operating a system with a capacity of 1 megawatt or greater. The bill mandates that permit applications include detailed information about the system's location, equipment, emergency response plan, and decommissioning strategy. Owners must develop a comprehensive emergency response plan in coordination with local emergency management officials, addressing potential equipment failures, safety procedures, and environmental impacts. The bill also requires a detailed decommissioning plan that ensures proper disconnection from the power grid, removal and recycling of equipment, and restoration of the site to its original condition or an agreed-upon alternative. Additionally, owners must establish financial assurance to cover decommissioning costs, which can be done through various financial mechanisms like insurance, letters of credit, or trust funds. The Department of Environmental Quality is tasked with creating rules for system siting, financial assurance requirements, and permit fees, and will establish a special Utility-Scale Battery Energy Management Fund to support implementation and oversight of these regulations. The bill aims to ensure responsible development, operation, and eventual decommissioning of large-scale battery storage systems while protecting public safety and the environment.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/S728