SB3214 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB100 20410 SLF 35736 b

100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2017 and 2018
SB3214

Introduced 2/15/2018, by Sen. Jason A. Barickman

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Pollinator Friendly Solar Site Act. Provides that an owner of a ground-mounted solar site may follow practices that: (1) provide native perennial vegetation and foraging habitat which is beneficial to game birds, songbirds, and pollinators; and (2) reduce storm water runoff and erosion at the solar site. Provides that an owner or manager of a solar site with a generating capacity of more than 40 kilowatts implementing site management practices under the Act may claim that the site is "pollinator-friendly" or provides benefits to game birds, songbirds, and pollinators only if the site adheres to guidance set forth by the pollinator friendly scorecard published by the Department of Natural Resources in consultation with stakeholders. Provides that an owner making a beneficial habitat claim shall make the solar site's pollinator score card, and where available, related vegetation management plans, available to the public and provide a copy to the Department of Natural Resources and a nonprofit solar industry trade association of the State. Effective immediately.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning solar sites.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Pollinator Friendly Solar Site Act.

Section 5. Site management practices. An owner of a ground-mounted solar site may follow practices that: (1) provide native perennial vegetation and foraging habitat which is beneficial to game birds, songbirds, and pollinators; and (2) reduce storm water runoff and erosion at the solar site. To the extent practical, if establishing perennial vegetation and beneficial foraging habitat, a solar site owner or manager shall use native plant species and seed mixes.

Section 10. Recognition of beneficial habitat. An owner or manager of a solar site with a generating capacity of more than 40 kilowatts implementing site management practices under this Act may claim that the site is "pollinator-friendly" or provides benefits to game birds, songbirds, and pollinators only if the site adheres to guidance set forth by the pollinator friendly scorecard published by the Department of Natural Resources in consultation with stakeholders. An owner making a beneficial habitat claim shall make the solar site's pollinator score card, and where available, related vegetation management plans, available to the public and provide a copy to the Department of Natural Resources and a nonprofit solar industry trade association of this State.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.