An Act prohibiting public and ratepayer funding of clearcutting forests and woodlands

This bill prohibits state funding and ratepayer support for new solar projects that are built on forest land, priority wildlife habitat, or areas of critical environmental concern. It specifically bars solar facilities of 500 kilowatts or more from receiving official approval if they are located on these protected natural areas, unless the site is a brownfield, eligible landfill, or previously developed land. The law requires the Department of Energy Resources and the Department of Public Utilities to update their rules to enforce this restriction, ensuring that public money does not support large-scale solar development on existing forests or sensitive ecosystems.