Senate Bill No. [number] aims to revise the decommissioning and bonding laws for wind and solar facilities in Montana. The bill mandates that owners of such facilities must secure decommissioning bonding before construction and operation can commence. It introduces new timelines for decommissioning, requiring that it begin within 12 months after a facility's abandonment or the end of its useful life, and be completed within 24 months unless a plan for continued operation is approved by the department. The bill also establishes penalties for non-compliance and outlines the requirements for decommissioning plans, including the submission of cost estimates and a decommissioning bond.

Key amendments include the redefinition of terms related to decommissioning, the introduction of a new section detailing the requirements for decommissioning plans, and the establishment of a decommissioning bond that must be submitted prior to construction. The bill also specifies exemptions from bonding requirements under certain conditions, such as if the facility is repurposed or if the owner meets specific criteria. Additionally, it includes provisions for penalties for failure to submit the required bond and outlines the process for appealing modifications to decommissioning plans. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 75-26-301, 75-26-304, 75-26-308, 75-26-310
SB0160_1(1): 75-26-301, 75-26-304, 75-26-308, 75-26-310
SB0160_1(2): 75-26-301, 75-26-304, 75-26-308, 75-26-310
SB0160_1(3): 75-26-301, 75-26-304, 75-26-308, 75-26-310
SB0160_1: 75-26-301, 75-26-304, 75-26-308, 75-26-310