CT HB06498

Lowers the capacity threshold for solar photovoltaic facilities on prime farmland or state-wide farmland from two megawatts to one or more megawatts, requiring additional environmental review and departmental approval.

Requires applicants to furnish a bond covering all decommissioning costs for solar facilities proposed on prime farmland, farmland of state-wide importance, or core forest lands.

Mandates the Departments of Agriculture and Energy and Environmental Protection post application information on their websites, including instructions for public status updates and notifications for solar facilities on protected agricultural and forest lands.

Exempts solar facilities selected by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection in solicitations issued prior to July 1, 2017 from the new agricultural and forest land restrictions.

Requires written representation from the Department of Agriculture that projects will not materially affect prime farmland or state-wide farmland status, or from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection regarding core forest impact, before approval of such solar facilities.