This bill establishes a product stewardship program for wind and solar energy infrastructure in Minnesota, requiring producers to implement and finance a statewide initiative for managing discarded materials. Producers must submit a stewardship plan for approval by the commissioner, detailing collection methods, recycling processes, and performance goals before selling their products. A stewardship assessment fee will be added to the purchase price of these infrastructures to cover program costs. Additionally, the bill imposes a moratorium on the disposal of wind and solar energy infrastructure in landfills, ensuring responsible management of these materials.

Starting October 1, 2027, producers are required to submit annual stewardship reports to the commissioner, which will include information on collection, transportation, processing methods, and educational efforts directed at consumers. The bill also mandates that trade secret and sales information be classified as nonpublic or private data. Furthermore, it prohibits the disposal of wind and solar energy infrastructure in mixed municipal solid waste and landfills, with producers or stewardship organizations required to pay an annual administrative fee based on the proportion of infrastructure sold in the state. All fees collected will be deposited into a product stewardship account to support the administration of these regulations, ultimately aiming to enhance recycling efforts and ensure responsible disposal of renewable energy infrastructure.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 13.7411, 115A.142