§ 22-32-6 — Bond release

(a)(1) Subject to subdivision (2) of this subsection, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) shall release the bond if it is satisfied that an owner has properly decommissioned a wind generation facility or solar generation facility in accordance with the plan required by this article.

(2) At any time, an owner of a wind generation facility or solar generation facility may petition the DEP for release of the bond, and the DEP shall reply with a determination within 90 days.

(b) If the owner of a wind generation facility or solar generation facility fails to properly decommission a wind generation facility or solar generation facility and has not commenced action to rectify deficiencies within 90 days after notification by the DEP, the DEP shall cause the bond to be forfeited. The DEP, through its Office of Environmental Remediation or by contract with a private entity, may take any necessary actions to decommission the wind generation facility or solar generation facility. Upon completion, the DEP may file suit to enforce the permit conditions, plans, and agreements to recoup the cost of decommissioning and reclamation in the circuit court of Kanawha County or in the circuit court of the county in which the wind generation facility or solar generation facility is located.

Legislative History

2021 Reg. Sess., SB492