NC S669

Requires owners and operators of utility-scale solar projects (2+ megawatts AC) to properly decommission and restore property within one year of cessation of operations, including disconnecting from power grid, removing/recycling equipment, and restoring land to pre-project condition or alternative approved condition.

Mandates submission of detailed decommissioning plans by August 1, 2025 (or 90 days before construction for new projects), prepared and sealed by a professional engineer, including decommissioning sequencing, disposal methods, cost estimates, and restoration procedures.

Requires owners and operators to establish financial assurance (insurance, letters of credit, surety bonds, or other mechanisms) by August 1, 2025 to guarantee sufficient funds for decommissioning and restoration, even if the owner becomes insolvent or leaves the state.

Establishes registration requirement with the Department of Environmental Quality by August 1, 2025, with five-year renewal, requiring owners to provide project details, equipment information, timelines, cost estimates, and PFAS identification.

Appropriates $10,000 in nonrecurring funds for 2023-2024 startup costs and $379,000 in recurring funds for three full-time positions to implement the program; allows local governments to adopt equal or more stringent requirements and assumes administration authority.