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Committee approves committee substitute requiring end-of-life solar panels be sent to recycling facilities
Summary
A committee approved a substitute to a House bill that would require end-of-life solar panels to be taken to legitimate recycling facilities; sponsors removed a proposed EPD-maintained directory amid administration concerns and the substitute passed by voice vote.
The Natural Resources & Environment committee approved a committee substitute to a House bill that would require end-of-life solar panels to be handled at legitimate solar-panel recycling facilities.
Rep. Trey Kelly presented the substitute and said the measure’s purpose is to ensure leased solar sites are returned to the landowner or natural state when leases expire. Kelly said the substitute is the same bill that passed out of the committee last year with a single change: language requiring a directory maintained by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) was removed because of concerns about administration and EPD capacity.
Committee members asked why the EPD directory language was removed. Kelly said the deletion responded to questions about administrative burden and a whip’s concern. Several members expressed support for the bill and appreciation for its focus on protecting land after solar arrays reach the end of their useful life.
A committee member moved to adopt the substitute; another seconded. The chair called for voices and members replied “aye.” The substitute carried by voice vote; the transcript does not record a roll-call or numeric tally.
The committee did not record additional amendments in the transcript. The chair indicated the bill will be signed out of committee and scheduled for further steps.
The committee adjourned after a subsequent GEFA briefing and Q&A.
