Illinois Senator Pushes Bill to Require Solar Developers to Cover Cleanup Costs

Proposed legislation would mandate surety bonds to ensure taxpayers don't foot the bill for decommissioning solar projects.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 1:15pm

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State Senator Erica Harriss has introduced a bill in the Illinois legislature that would require solar energy developers to secure surety bonds to cover the full cost of decommissioning and environmental cleanup when their projects reach the end of their lifespan or are abandoned. The proposed legislation aims to protect taxpayers from having to pay for the cleanup of damaged or defunct solar facilities.

Why it matters

As large-scale solar projects continue to expand across Illinois, concerns have grown about long-term maintenance and cleanup responsibilities. Recent severe weather events have left some solar farms damaged, raising questions about who will be responsible if projects are not properly maintained or are abandoned. This bill seeks to ensure financial safeguards are in place before construction begins, reducing the risk that counties or taxpayers will be left managing these issues.

The details

Senate Bill 3953 would require companies seeking to construct commercial solar facilities in Illinois to secure a surety bond before receiving county approval. The bond must be sufficient to cover the full cost of decommissioning the facility and addressing any environmental damage caused during construction or operation. This builds on previous legislation Senator Harriss passed last year that strengthened financial assurance requirements for oil and gas operators in the state.

  • Senator Harriss introduced SB 3953 in the Illinois legislature on March 22, 2026.
  • In 2025, Senator Harriss passed legislation (Public Act 104-0150) that required oil and gas operators to secure surety bonds to cover the costs of plugging wells and restoring sites.

The players

Senator Erica Harriss

An Illinois state senator representing the 56th district, which includes Glen Carbon. She has been a proponent of legislation to protect taxpayers from the costs of abandoned energy projects.

Senate Bill 3953

Proposed legislation that would require Illinois solar developers to secure surety bonds to cover the full cost of decommissioning solar facilities and addressing any environmental damage.

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What they’re saying

“Taxpayers should not be forced to clean up after private energy companies. This legislation ensures that those who profit from these developments are also responsible for properly maintaining and ultimately removing them.”

— Senator Erica Harriss

“Whether it's oil wells or solar fields, the principle is the same - if you build it, you clean it up. We've already taken action to protect taxpayers from the costs of abandoned oil wells, and now we're applying that same standard to large-scale solar developments.”

— Senator Erica Harriss

What’s next

The proposed legislation, SB 3953, will now go through the Illinois legislative process, where it will be considered by committees and voted on by the full state Senate and House of Representatives.

The takeaway

This bill aims to shift the financial responsibility for decommissioning and cleanup of solar energy projects from taxpayers to the companies that profit from building and operating them. It represents an effort to apply the same standards to the solar industry that have already been put in place for the oil and gas sector, ensuring that private enterprises bear the costs of their operations rather than passing them on to the public.