(a) As used in this section, “Class I renewable energy source” has the same meaning as provided in section 16-1.
(b) (1) On or before December 1, 2020, the Department of Transportation shall conduct a preliminary screening of land owned by said department. Such screening shall identify any such land that may be suitable for the siting of Class I renewable energy sources and shall evaluate the suitability of such land. Said department shall submit an inventory of any such land said department determines is suitable for the siting of Class I renewable energy sources to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
(2) The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection shall conduct an analysis of any land included in the inventory submitted to said department pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection. Said department's analysis shall include, but not be limited to, a technical, legal and financial feasibility analysis and shall consider (A) setback requirements, (B) access to the land, (C) physical and environmental characteristics of the land, (D) the development characteristics of a Class I renewable energy source, (E) current and future transportation needs, (F) the eligibility of Class I renewable energy sources that may be installed on the land to participate in net metering pursuant to section 16-243h, virtual net metering pursuant to section 16-244u, renewable energy tariffs pursuant to section 16-244z and grid-scale solicitation programs pursuant to this title, and (G) other relevant feasibility factors.
(c) In any solicitation issued by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection for Class I renewable energy sources after said department completes the analysis pursuant to subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of this section, said department may provide selection preference to proposals that use land that is (1) included on the inventory submitted pursuant to subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of this section, and (2) determined to be feasible for the siting of Class I renewable energy sources by said department pursuant to the analysis conducted pursuant to subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of this section.
(P.A. 19-35, S. 8.)
History: P.A. 19-35 effective June 28, 2019.