§ 180-12. Abandonment and decommissioning.

A. 

Solar energy systems are considered abandoned after one year without electrical energy being used on site or supplied to the grid and must be removed from the property, or if construction has not started within 18 months of site plan approval. Applications for extensions will be reviewed by the Town Board for a period of six months.

B. 

Decommissioning plan: To ensure the proper removal of large-scale solar energy systems, a decommissioning plan shall be submitted as part of the application. Submittal of a decommissioning plan shall be made a condition precedent for the issuance of a special use permit under this section. The decommissioning plan must specify that after the large-scale solar energy system is no longer being used, it shall be removed by the applicant or any subsequent owner. The plan shall demonstrate how the removal of all infrastructure and the remediation of soil and vegetation shall be conducted to return the parcel to its original state prior to construction. The plan shall also include an expected timeline for execution. A cost estimate detailing the projected cost of executing the decommissioning plan shall be prepared by a professional engineer or contractor. Cost estimations shall be stated in year of construction dollars. Removal of large-scale solar energy systems must be completed in accordance with the decommissioning plan. If the large-scale energy system is not decommissioned after being considered abandoned, the municipality may remove the system and restore the property and impose a lien on the property to cover these costs to the municipality.