Bill > HB2781

This bill establishes new regulations for solar energy power plants in Arizona, requiring cities, towns, and counties to adopt decommissioning standards and for plant applicants to comply with these local requirements. It mandates that any transfer or sale of a solar energy power plant or its ownership entity must include the transferee's written acceptance of the transferor's obligations under this chapter, and that existing liabilities are not eliminated by such transactions. The bill also outlines procedures for addressing damaged or non-functional plants, requiring owners or operators to cure deficiencies within ninety days or provide a remediation plan, and to remove and restore the site within eighteen months if a plant is inoperative for a year, unless otherwise agreed upon. A key provision is the requirement for a detailed decommissioning and site restoration plan, including cost estimates, financial resources, and financial assurances like bonds or parent guarantees, which must be updated every ten years. These funds will be deposited into a new "solar energy power plant site remediation fund" administered by the executive director, which can be used for decommissioning and remediation costs. The bill also requires solar energy power plant owners or operators to maintain liability insurance covering reasonable liabilities of the local government and to notify the local government of any changes to the policy. These new requirements apply only to solar energy power plants that received all necessary permits after the bill's effective date.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/84622