The bill aims to clarify bonding requirements for wind and solar generation facilities in Montana and introduces a decommissioning lien for facilities that fail to meet these requirements. Key amendments include the requirement for facility owners to submit a decommissioning plan and an abstract of any leasing agreements to the department within 12 months of commencing commercial operations. Additionally, the bill stipulates that owners must notify the department within 90 days of construction commencement and outlines specific timelines for submitting decommissioning bonds based on the facility's operational date. The bond amount is set at 100% of the estimated decommissioning costs, and penalties are established for non-compliance.

Furthermore, the bill establishes a decommissioning lien that the department can file against a facility's assets if a bond is not submitted or if the facility is abandoned. The lien amount will be based on estimated decommissioning costs plus an annual inflationary adjustment. The bill also creates a wind and solar decommissioning account to manage funds from penalties and proceeds from the sale of assets secured by liens. This account will be used by the department to implement the provisions of the bill and ensure compliance with decommissioning requirements. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage and approval.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 75-26-304
HB0031_1(1): 75-26-304
HB0031_1(10): 75-26-304
HB0031_1(11): 75-26-304
HB0031_1(2): 75-26-304
HB0031_1(3): 75-26-304
HB0031_1(4): 75-26-304
HB0031_1(5): 75-26-304
HB0031_1(6): 75-26-304
HB0031_1(7): 75-26-304
HB0031_1(8): 75-26-304
HB0031_1(9): 75-26-304
HB0031_1: 75-26-304
HB0031_2(1): 75-26-304
HB0031_2(2): 75-26-304
HB0031_2(3): 75-26-304
HB0031_2(4): 75-26-304
HB0031_2(5): 75-26-304
HB0031_2(6): 75-26-304
HB0031_2(7): 75-26-304
HB0031_2: 75-26-304
HB0031_X(1): 75-26-304, 75-26-308
HB0031_X(2): 75-26-304, 75-26-308
HB0031_X(3): 75-26-304, 75-26-308
HB0031_X(4): 75-26-304, 75-26-308
HB0031_X(5): 75-26-304, 75-26-308
HB0031_X(6): 75-26-304, 75-26-308
HB0031_X(7): 75-26-304, 75-26-308
HB0031_X(8): 75-26-304, 75-26-308
HB0031_X: 75-26-304, 75-26-308