The bill mandates that decommissioned wind turbine blades and towers must be disposed of on-site at the wind energy facilities where they were used, prohibiting their disposal in municipal solid waste facilities. It introduces new requirements for waste management plans in permit applications, specifically for wind energy facilities, which must include a disposal plan for these decommissioned materials. The bill also outlines the establishment of rules and regulations for the disposal process, including minimum depth requirements, the removal of non-base materials, and exceptions for onsite recycling and disposal at surface coal mining sites.

Additionally, the bill specifies that the council will create rules to ensure compliance with these disposal requirements, which will take effect for all relevant wind energy facilities permitted after July 1, 2025. It clarifies that existing contracts or agreements prior to this date will not be affected by the new regulations. The bill aims to enhance environmental management practices related to wind energy infrastructure while ensuring that the disposal of turbine components is handled responsibly and sustainably.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 18-5-503, 18-5-504, 35-11-402, 35-12-109, 35-12-113