The bill H.710 amends the definitions related to electricity-generating facilities in Vermont law, specifically in 30 V.S.A. 8002. It redefines what constitutes a "plant" by stating that multiple electricity-generating facilities can be considered one plant if they utilize the same technology and are located on the same or contiguous parcels of land, regardless of their construction timeline. The bill also introduces criteria under which such facilities would be treated as separate plants, including conditions related to net metering and interconnection points. Additionally, new definitions for "common interest community," "contiguous," "electricity-generating technology," and "point of interconnection" are added to clarify the legal framework surrounding these facilities.

Furthermore, the bill establishes the Electric Generation and Energy Storage Facility Decommissioning Fund, which will be administered by the Chair of the Public Utility Commission. This fund will collect surety fees from electric generation and energy storage facilities and will be used for decommissioning and site restoration efforts. The bill mandates a report by the Public Utility Commission on the decommissioning surety fee formula by February 15, 2027, and outlines the legislative intent that the amendments create new rights and liabilities, applicable only to applications filed after the act's effective date of July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 30-8002
As Passed By the House -- Official: 30-8002
As Passed By the House -- Unofficial: 30-8002
As Passed by Both House and Senate -- Official: 30-8002, 30-20
As Passed by Both House and Senate -- Unofficial: 30-8002, 30-20