| Chapter 381 |
| 2024 -- S 2808 SUBSTITUTE A Enacted 06/26/2024 |
| A N A C T |
| RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- SOLAR DECOMMISSIONING PLANS |
Introduced By: Senators Valverde, Tikoian, LaMountain, Kallman, Britto, Gu, DiMario, and Miller |
| Date Introduced: March 22, 2024 |
| It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: |
| SECTION 1. Title 39 of the General Laws entitled "PUBLIC UTILITIES AND |
| CARRIERS" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter: |
| CHAPTER 3335 |
| SOLAR DECOMMISSIONING PLANS |
| 39-3335-1. Definitions. |
| When used in this chapter, these terms shall have the following meanings: |
| (1) "Decommissioning" means: |
| (i) The physical removal of all components of a solar photovoltaic system including, but |
| not limited to, solar panels and associated anchoring systems and foundations, and other structures, |
| buildings, roads, fences, cables, electrical components or associated facilities and foundations, to |
| the extent the components of the system are not otherwise in, or proposed to be placed in, |
| productive use; |
| (ii) Stabilization and/or revegetation of the site as necessary to minimize erosion and in |
| compliance with all state and local laws; and |
| (iii) Disposal of all solid and hazardous waste in accordance with federal, state, and local |
| laws, regulations, and ordinances. |
| (2) "Department" means the Rhode Island department of environmental management;. |
| (3) "Ground-mounted solar system" means a solar electric system that is structurally |
| mounted on the ground and is not roof-mounted;.and |
| (4) "Office" means the Rhode Island office of energy resources. |
| 39-3335-2. Decommissioning plan required. |
| The developer of any ground-mounted solar system shall, at the time they apply for |
| required permits from the municipality of jurisdiction, submit a plan for decommissioning to |
| include an estimate of the financial cost of implementing the plan. The municipality shall be |
| required to keep the decommissioning plan on file; provided that, doing so does not make the |
| municipality responsible for its implementation. Each municipality may require the developer to |
| post a performance bond to cover the cost of its decommissioning plan. |
| 39-3335-3. Technical assistance. |
| The department, in consultation with the office, shall make publicly available model |
| decommissioning plans and shall provide technical assistance to municipalities and developers of |
| ground-mounted solar systems regarding the creation of the decommissioning plans required by |
| this chapter. |
| 39-3335-4. Existing ordinances. |
| This chapter shall not be construed to override or modify any existing municipal ordinance |
| relating to the decommissioning of ground-mounted solar systems or other renewable energy |
| systems. |
| SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2025. |
| ======== |
| LC004344/SUB A |
| ======== |