The General Assembly Raised Bill No. 316 mandates the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection to establish a program for biennial soil testing at utility-scale solar arrays in Connecticut, effective October 1, 2026. This program will focus on detecting contaminants such as heavy metals and toxic substances, including cadmium, lead, arsenic, and zinc. Key components of the program include the disclosure of soil test results to property owners, provisions for remediation of any identified contamination (including groundwater), and public notification of test results and remediation effects, which may involve land use restrictions.

Additionally, the bill allows the commissioner to adopt regulations to implement the program and assess a biennial soil testing fee to cover the program's costs, which will be charged to the owners or operators of the solar arrays. The bill aims to ensure environmental safety and public awareness regarding potential soil contamination at solar facilities.