Senate Bill No. 1281 mandates the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection, in collaboration with the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, to conduct a study on the necessity of implementing extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs for the disposal and recycling of solar panels and wind turbine blades in the state. The study will assess the volume and weight of solar panels and wind turbine blades expected to reach the end of their useful life within the next five years, as well as current procedures for their collection, disposal, and recycling. Additionally, it will evaluate the availability of regional EPR programs, the costs associated with current disposal methods compared to potential EPR programs, and the necessary infrastructure for establishing such programs.

The bill includes new legal language that specifies the study's objectives, including determining current procedures for recycling and the requisite facilities and oversight for EPR programs. It also sets a deadline for the commissioner to submit a report with findings and legislative recommendations by February 1, 2026. There are no anticipated fiscal impacts on the state or municipalities, as the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is expected to have the necessary resources to conduct the study.