HB 387: Decommissioning Windmill Cash Upfront — 2025
ICL's position: Review
Current Bill Status: Amending Order
Issue Areas: Clean Energy, Energy, Idaho Department of Lands, Wildlife
House Bill 387, introduced by Rep. Kevin Andrus (R-Lava Hot Springs), originally required that wind turbines pay a cash deposit equal to the cost to fully decommission the project at the end of its life prior to starting the project. However, based on concerns from opponents, it appears that the bill will now be amended to allow for other types of bonding that do not require cash deposits, which would have effectively prohibited new wind energy projects.
The amendments are expected to align the provisions of the bill with existing bonding and reclamation requirements that have been adopted by the Idaho Land Board to mitigate the impacts of renewable energy projects on state lands. Once amendments are adopted, ICL anticipates we will be able to support this bill.
This law would apply to any land located in the state of Idaho no matter who the owner is, whether that is private, state, federal or tribal.