Work group reviews HB1036 amendments on solar siting, ag‑preserve limits, storage siding and community solar auto‑enroll

Committee staff presented a set of amendments to House Bill 10-36 that would change how solar energy generating stations are sited and approved, modify energy storage siting language, and amend community-solar auto-enrollment rules.

The amendments introduce new definitional and procedural requirements for solar proposals. Staff explained the bill now includes definitions of “priority preservation area” and “project area,” reduces the megawatt threshold for certain siting provisions from 2 MW to 1 MW, and clarifies that aggregate net metering projects fall under the statute. Applicants would have to include written documentation showing compliance with the statute’s siting standards when filing for approval and, in underserved communities, hold two community hearings (one virtual). The amendments add numerous setback and barrier standards (for example, limiting fence materials and minimum distances from public rights-of-way) and specify mitigation and vegetation plans. Counties would be able to…