This bill establishes a comprehensive 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 prior to selling their products, detailing collection methods, recycling processes, and performance goals. A stewardship assessment fee will be added to the purchase price of these infrastructures to fund the program. Additionally, the bill imposes a moratorium on the disposal of wind and solar energy infrastructure in landfills, mandating that producers, retailers, and recyclers comply with environmental regulations and provide educational materials to consumers.

The legislation also introduces new reporting requirements for producers, who must submit annual reports starting October 1, 2027, detailing collection, transportation, and processing methods, as well as data on recycling goals and consumer education efforts. The bill classifies trade secret and sales information as nonpublic or private data and tasks the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency with maintaining a public list of compliant and noncompliant producers. Furthermore, it prohibits the disposal of wind and solar energy infrastructure in mixed municipal solid waste and landfills, effective immediately, and outlines local governments' responsibilities to participate in stewardship programs. An administrative fee will be imposed on stewardship organizations or individual producers to cover the costs of these regulations, enhancing Minnesota's commitment to sustainable energy infrastructure management.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 13.7411, 115A.142