Solar power responsibility bill advances in Pa. Senate

Harrisburg, Pa. — During a May 6 vote, the Pa. Senate approved Sen. Gene Yaw’s legislation that protects landowners from abandoned solar power generation facilities. The bill, if implemented into law, would establish decommissioning and financial requirements for solar generation projects, preventing landowners from having to deal with defunct and abandoned solar facilities.

Senate Bill 349 includes a graduated phase-in process for financial assurances, setting up five-year benchmarks using third-party professional engineers to assess and calculate fair market value of the project and costs to decommission solar facilities.

“This bill provides uniformity and certainty statewide for solar generation facilities and landowners, which are often multi-generational,” Sen. Yaw said. “It is important that Pennsylvania offers a regulatory framework to ensure these facilities are safely and appropriately retired.”

The bill was unanimously approved by the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee earlier in the year. The measure has also received support from the Pa. Farm Bureau and several solar associations.

According to a spokesperson from the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, “Senate Bill 349 is a critical step toward balancing the growth of renewable energy with the long-term interests of Pennsylvania’s farm families. By establishing clear decommissioning standards and financial protections, this legislation ensures that farmers who host solar projects aren’t left with the cost or burden of removing infrastructure when a project ends. It’s a commonsense approach that supports responsible energy development while safeguarding agricultural land for future generations.”

The bill will now move to the House of Representatives for further consideration.