Bond & compliance tracker

State-by-state decommissioning bond and financial assurance requirements for utility-scale solar in the U.S., updated as statutes and commission orders change.

Free · no login required · always verify against current state statutes and commission orders

States with statewide mandate

States with conditional / county-level

States covered in this reference

RequiredConditionalNonePending· Coverage varies; see notes

State	Status	Notes	Instruments	Trigger	Source
AZArizona	Conditional	ACC regulates utility-scale projects; decom plan required but financial assurance varies. County requirements apply to non-utility-scale.	Performance bond or letter of credit (ACC-specific)	ACC certificate of convenience and necessity	ARS § 40-360; ACC orders
CACalifornia	Required	County-level decom bonds required at permit stage; amounts vary by county ($50K–$500K+/MW). Some counties use LC or trust fund.	Surety bond, letter of credit, cash escrow	Project permitting (CUP/conditional use permit)	County planning codes (e.g., Riverside, San Bernardino)
COColorado	Required	PUC rules and county ordinances both apply. 2022 legislation strengthened decom requirements. Some counties peg bonds to $15–25K/MW.	Surety bond, letter of credit, cash escrow	PUC approval or county special use permit	CRS § 40-2; CPUC rules; county ordinances
FLFlorida	Conditional	No statewide decom bond mandate for solar. Some counties require bonds via local ordinance. PSC-regulated utilities may face different rules.	Varies by county	County development order	County ordinances; FPSC for utility projects
GAGeorgia	Conditional	No statewide statute. County-level requirements vary widely; several high-density counties (Lowndes, Worth) have adopted decom ordinances.	Surety bond or letter of credit (county-specific)	County zoning approval	County planning ordinances
ILIllinois	Required	IL Power Agency Act and county zoning codes require decom financial assurance. Amounts vary; many counties peg to $20K–$40K/MW.	Surety bond, letter of credit, cash, irrevocable trust	Zoning/special use permit; updated every 5 years	20 ILCS 3855; county ordinances
INIndiana	Required	IC 8-1-8.8 requires decom plans and financial assurance for utility-scale solar. IURC oversight for large projects.	Surety bond, letter of credit, escrow	IURC certification; county approval	IC 8-1-8.8; IURC orders
IAIowa	Required	Iowa Utilities Board requires decom plans and financial assurance. 2020 IUB order strengthened requirements for projects over 2 MW.	Surety bond, letter of credit, or cash deposited with IUB	IUB franchise/permit approval	Iowa Code § 476; IUB orders
MAMassachusetts	Conditional	No statewide statute. Some municipalities require decom bonds via zoning bylaws. Cape Cod Commission and other regional entities have varying rules.	Surety bond or irrevocable letter of credit (local)	Special permit or site plan approval	Municipal zoning bylaws
MIMichigan	Required	MPSC requires decom security for regulated utilities. Township ordinances widely require bonds for non-utility solar (many set $10–30K/MW).	Surety bond, letter of credit, irrevocable trust	MPSC order or township special use permit	MCL 460; township ordinances
MNMinnesota	Required	MN PUC requires decom plans and financial assurance for large energy facilities. Projects >50 MW under state jurisdiction; smaller projects county-governed.	Surety bond, letter of credit, trust fund, or parent guarantee	Site permit application; annual financial assurance certification	Minn. Stat. § 216F; PUC Order
NVNevada	Required	PUCN requires decom plans and financial assurance for large generation projects. Amounts reviewed at least every 5 years.	Surety bond, letter of credit, parent guarantee	PUCN certificate of public convenience	NAC 704; PUCN orders
NJNew Jersey	Conditional	No statewide mandate. BPU and local planning boards may require decom bonds as permit conditions on a project-by-project basis.	Surety bond, letter of credit (if required)	BPU order or municipal land use approval	NJ BPU; municipal land use law
NYNew York	Required	Article 10 / Article 94-c (NY Accelerated Renewable Energy Growth Act) requires decom financial security for large projects. Amounts include cost estimate + 10% contingency.	Surety bond, letter of credit, cash, trust fund	Siting Board certificate application	Public Service Law Art. 10 / 94-c; 16 NYCRR
NCNorth Carolina	Required	NCUC and county-level bonds. 2021 legislation (SB 628) added clearer decom requirement for projects over 2 MW.	Surety bond, letter of credit, cash, insurance	Zoning/permit approval; updated at 10-year intervals	N.C. Gen. Stat. § 160D; SB 628 (2021)
OHOhio	Required	Ohio Power Siting Board requires decom plans and financial assurance for projects >5 MW. Bond amounts based on estimated cost, reviewed every 5 years.	Surety bond, letter of credit, certificate of deposit	OPSB certificate of environmental compatibility	ORC § 4906; OPSB rules
PAPennsylvania	Conditional	No statewide solar-specific decom statute. Some municipalities require bonds. DCNR and DEP requirements apply to state land leases.	Bond or letter of credit (municipality/lease-specific)	Local zoning or state land lease	Municipal zoning; DEP/DCNR lease terms
TXTexas	Conditional	No statewide mandate. Some counties (e.g., Pecos, Reeves) require decom bonds in lease agreements or county orders.	Surety bond, letter of credit (county-specific)	Lease agreement or county order at development stage	County commissioners orders; landowner leases
VAVirginia	Required	Decom bond required by Va. Code § 15.2-2242 for solar facilities over 5 MW. Amount: $12,500/MW minimum, adjusted per locality.	Surety bond, letter of credit, cash escrow	Special use permit issuance	Va. Code § 15.2-2242
WIWisconsin	Required	PSC of Wisconsin requires decom plans and financial assurance for projects ≥100 kW. Cost estimate + 25% contingency.	Surety bond, letter of credit, escrow	PSC certificate of public convenience	Wis. Stat. § 196.491; PSC orders

Important disclaimer

This reference is a summary compiled from publicly available statutes, commission orders, and municipal codes as of early 2026. Bond requirements change frequently. New state legislation, updated commission orders, and revised county ordinances can alter amounts, instruments, and triggers. Always verify current requirements with state energy commissions, local planning departments, and legal counsel before proceeding.

Renovo works with developers and asset owners to structure decom packages that satisfy bonding requirements. If you have a specific state or project question, contact us.