HB206:

Small renewable energy projects; impact on natural resources.

Bill Summary:

Small renewable energy projects; impact on natural resources. Requires, as a condition for a permit by rule for a small energy project, that if the Department of Environmental Quality determines that there will be a significant adverse impact on wildlife, historic resources, prime agricultural soils, or forest lands, the applicant must also submit a mitigation plan with a 45-day public comment period. The bill specifies that a disturbance of (i) more than 10 acres of prime agricultural soils, (ii) more than 50 acres of contiguous forest lands, or (iii) forest lands enrolled in a forestry preservation program is deemed to be a significant adverse impact on natural resources. The bill directs the Department to convene an advisory panel to assist in developing regulations to implement these requirements, and the main provisions of the bill do not become effective until such regulations are adopted. Any application for a small renewable energy project received for which an interconnection request is applied for and received by December 31, 2024, is not subject to the provisions of the bill.