Substitute House Bill No. 5916, also known as Public Act No. 25-127, mandates that solar developers provide farmland restoration bonds for solar projects that require approval from the Siting Council. The bill amends subsection (a) of section 16-50k of the general statutes, which previously outlined the requirements for obtaining a certificate of environmental compatibility and public need before commencing construction or modifications of facilities that may have substantial adverse environmental effects. The new legal language specifies that any solar photovoltaic facility with a capacity of two or more megawatts located on prime farmland or forestland must include a bond to cover decommissioning costs and restoration of the land, ensuring that it remains suitable for farming.

Additionally, the bill clarifies that this decommissioning bond requirement applies not only to projects that undergo the standard certificate process but also to any solar photovoltaic facility of two megawatts or more that is approved by declaratory ruling. This change aims to enhance environmental protections and ensure that solar developments do not compromise the agricultural viability of prime farmland. The bill also emphasizes the importance of assessments by qualified professionals to evaluate the restoration of soil quality and other agricultural factors.