Energy and Environment

Authorizes a public utility, upon approval by the Public Utility Commission, to issue bonds and securitize debt for costs and expenses incurred or to be incurred by the public utility associated with a self-insurance or captive insurance program. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

] Exempts sales to purchasers with facilities totaling more than one million square feet from a prohibition on sales of certain fluorescent lamps until January 1, 2030. Exempts residential care facilities and long term care facilities from the requirement to submit for review plans to replace light fixtures designed to use prohibited fluorescent lamps. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

Modifies the authority of the Department of Environmental Quality to enter into agreements with regulated entities to expedite or enhance a regulatory process. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Requires the Energy Facility Siting Council to find that reasons justify why the state policy in applicable statewide planning goals should not apply to a proposed energy facility if the council finds that the proposed energy facility will deliver electricity to the electric grid using an existing energy facility's surplus interconnection and does not require associated transmission lines more than two miles from the existing energy facility. Defines "surplus interconnection." Allows a local government to justify a reason for an exception to a statewide land use planning goal relating to agricultural lands for the development of a renewable energy facility if an exception is required under rules of the Land Conservation and Development Commission, the county adopts certain findings and the proposed facility will deliver electricity to the electric grid using an existing energy facility's unused interconnection capacity and does not require associated transmission lines more than two miles from the existing energy facility. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Exempts an energy facility from needing a site certificate from the Energy Facility Siting Council if the energy facility produces power from a renewable energy source, qualifies for certain federal renewable energy tax credits and is placed in service on or before December 31, 2030, or a date allowed by exception and a local land use application for the facility is submitted [ construction begins ] on or before December 31, 2028. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.