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Appendix 1 – Primary Topical Functions Needed in Execution of Solar on Closed Landfill Study <br />1.DATA COLLECTION & ANALYSIS: new fact collection & preexisting agency data analysis, <br />spanning across multiple agencies <br />a.POLLUTION CONTROL AGENCY: Closed Landfill Program site suitability analysis including <br />but not limited to: <br />a.Parcel ownership and delineations <br />b.Landfill “settling policy” status <br />c.General Obligation Bond applicability to each Closed Landfill Program site and <br />bond terms <br />d.Solar suitability assessments, including but not limited to: <br />1.Solar potential and feasibility <br />2.City, county and citizen education about the solar potential on their <br />landfill sites and polling of interest in developing renewables on the <br />unused land <br />3.Local permitting processes and hurdles, if any <br />4.Proximity to substations <br />5.Proximity to and impact on environmental justice and low-income areas <br />6.Proximity to potential public load / public sector energy off-takers <br />7.Voltage line rating <br />8.Potential project funding and cost savings estimates <br />b.Data collection as needed from the following agencies: MN Management & Budget <br />(MMB), Dept. of Administration, Dept. of Commerce <br />c.Other data collection and analysis as necessary to accomplish Objective <br />2.LEGAL REVIEW & ANALYSIS: A third-party neutral consultant and/or legal counsel to: <br />a.Compile data, review, analyze and report on Closed Landfill Program sites’ legal <br />statuses, with specific consideration of General Obligation Bonding restrictions and safe <br />harbors <br />b.Suggest actions to overcome General Obligation Bonding, and other tax and financial <br />hurdles, at Minnesota’s Closed Landfill Program sites, considering information gathered <br />herein and other resources such as the Minnesota Department of Revenue, the Internal <br />Revenue Service, and other states with existing landfills developed with solar <br />c.Other legal review and analysis as necessary to accomplish Objective <br />3.PERMITTING PATHWAY PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT <br />a.Utilize findings of data collection & analysis, and legal review & analysis, to develop a <br />consistent set of environmental, structural, regulatory, administrative, and other criteria <br />as necessary, by which developers of solar energy at closed landfill program sites may <br />apply for and be granted construction permits <br />b.Coordinate with the relevant local governmental units and agencies to develop the <br />appropriate underlying land use, zoning, and ordinance language and standards to <br />support solar energy development at closed landfill program sites <br />c.Design the permitting program and its associated administrative functions to streamline <br />the permitting process in a way that permit issuance and construction approval are <br />done within a consistent and reliable timeframe <br />d.Utilize the State of Massachusetts’ “SW 36, 37: Landfill Post-Closure Use Permit” <br />program as an end-goal example <br />