Senate Bill No. [insert bill 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 begins within 12 months after a facility's abandonment or the end of its useful life, and must be completed within 24 months unless a plan for continued operation is approved by the department. The bill also outlines specific requirements for decommissioning plans, including the removal of all associated equipment and site restoration, and establishes penalties for non-compliance.

Key amendments include the redefinition of terms related to decommissioning, the introduction of a decommissioning bond that must be submitted prior to construction, and the establishment of a decommissioning account funded by penalties and interest. The bill also allows for exemptions from bonding requirements under certain conditions, such as agreements between property owners and facility owners. Additionally, it includes provisions for annual reviews of decommissioning plans and bond amounts, and it ensures that the rights and duties established prior to the bill's effective date remain intact. 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(4): 75-26-301, 75-26-304, 75-26-308, 75-26-310
SB0160_1(5): 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