The Center for Infrastructure and Economic Development (The Center) believes in policies and projects that balance citizen concerns, energy needs, and that economic benefits from these projects are vital to the prosperity and vitality of both urban and rural communities.
With these things in mind, our Team at The Center has reviewed the recent work in the solar energy arena by the Center for Rural Affairs, specifically their “Decommissioning Solar Energy Systems Resource Guide.” The Center has additional suggestions that we believe enhance their resource guide and provides greater consistency and certainty.
First and foremost, we commend the Center for Rural Affairs. This document incorporates balanced, rational recommendations for addressing solar resources as projects are developed and as they near the end of their useful life so that both local officials and developers can include transparent requirements within their plans and ordinances. In addition, The Center offers additional suggestions that might improve this resource guide, leading to greater consistency and certainty for all involved. These suggestions complement those in Sections III.A. (Components of a Decommissioning Plan) and B. (Financial Assurance Mechanisms):