10/26/2025
Missouri Renewable Energy Siting & Decommissioning Accountability Act (Final Version)
Prepared by: John Dady – citizensagainsttyranny.net – [email protected]
Effective Date: August 28, 2026
Title I — Short Title; Findings; Purpose
Sec. 101. Short Title. This Act may be cited as the Missouri Renewable Energy Siting & Decommissioning Accountability Act.
Sec. 102. Findings. Missouri lacks uniform statewide standards for siting and end-of-life decommissioning of utility-scale solar and wind facilities. Absent clear obligations and financial assurance, decommissioning costs risk shifting to landowners and taxpayers. Predictable statewide rules protect communities, landowners, ratepayers, agriculture, wildlife, and public safety.
Sec. 103. Purpose. To establish statewide minimum siting, setback, operational, decommissioning, and financial assurance requirements for utility-scale solar and wind; ensure full land restoration; and prevent public liability for cleanup.
Title II — Definitions
Defines Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Public Service Commission (PSC), Utility-Scale Solar Energy Facility (USSEF), Wind Energy Conversion System (WECS), Owner/Operator, Decommissioning, Abandonment, Financial Assurance, Participating Parcel, Non-Participating Parcel, and Occupied Dwelling.
Title III — Statewide Applicability; Local Authority
Applies to all new USSEF and WECS permitted after the effective date. Existing facilities must file a compliant decommissioning plan within 24 months and post compliant financial assurance within 36 months. Local governments may adopt stricter standards but not weaker ones.
Title IV — Siting & Environmental Protection Standards
Applications shall include maps and studies addressing land use, agriculture, water, floodplains, wildlife, cultural resources, fire and emergency access, and electrical safety. FAA-compatible glare analysis required within five miles of airports. Noise limits and shadow flicker limits established for wind facilities.
Title V — Uniform Setbacks & Screening
Solar setbacks: 150 ft from non-participating dwellings, 50 ft from property lines, 75 ft from public roads, with landscaped screening.
Wind setbacks: 1,500 ft or 3x turbine tip height from dwellings; 1.1x tip height from property lines and roads; 2.5x for schools and hospitals.
Title VI — Decommissioning Triggers, Standards, and Timelines
Decommissioning required upon abandonment, permit expiration, or end of economic life. Removal of above-ground equipment, foundations to 36 inches, and underground lines to 48 inches near property lines or waterways. Roads removed unless requested otherwise. Site restored with topsoil replacement and reseeding. Decommissioning must start within 180 days of trigger and finish within 12 months.
Title VII — Financial Assurance (No Taxpayer Liability)
Prior to construction, owner/operators must post financial assurance naming DNR as beneficiary in the form of a surety bond, irrevocable letter of credit, or cash escrow equal to 125% of decommissioning cost, with salvage credit capped at 20%. Reviewed every five years and adjusted for inflation.
Title VIII — Permits, Plans, and Reporting
No facility may commence construction without a State Siting Certificate issued by DNR in consultation with PSC. Applications must include detailed plans, decommissioning cost estimate, financial assurance, and landowner agreements. Annual reports to DNR and host county required.
Title IX — Enforcement; Remedies
DNR may issue orders, assess civil penalties up to $10,000 per day, and coordinate with the Attorney General for cost recovery. Noncompliance may result in curtailment or forfeiture of financial assurance. Adjacent landowners may seek injunctive relief after notice and failure to act by DNR within 90 days.
Title X — Miscellaneous
Local governments retain authority to impose stricter protections. Existing facilities are grandfathered but must comply with decommissioning and bonding requirements within designated timeframes. Includes severability clause and effective date as follows:
Sec. 1004. Effective Date. Upon signing by the Governor, this legislation shall become law and shall take effect August 28, 2026, in accordance with Article III, Section 29 of the Missouri Constitution, following adjournment of the 2026 Regular Session of the Missouri General Assembly.
For the People Summary
• Establishes one statewide standard for renewable siting and decommissioning, ending patchwork county-by-county rules.
• Requires full cleanup and land restoration—no taxpayer bailouts for abandoned solar or wind farms.
• Mandates 125% bonding to guarantee site restoration, reviewed every five years.
• Protects landowners and local communities from environmental and financial risks.
• Ensures local governments can still set stricter protections if desired.
• Enforces penalties and AG recovery authority for violations.
• Effective August 28, 2026—90 days after adjournment of the Missouri General Assembly.
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