Solar Facility Rules and Rulemaking

C&E is proposing the adoption of LAC 43:I.5101-5121. The proposed rule requires a permit to construct and operate certain solar power generation facilities and establishes regulations governing the decommissioning and required financial security of such facilities. The proposed rule was published as a Notice of Intent in the State Register on August 20, 2025. C&E initially anticipated the proposed effective date for these rules would be after November 20, 2025.

Inquiries on this proposed rule may be directed to:

Elizabeth Ferrier

Attorney, Office of Mineral Resources

Department of Energy and Natural Resources

617 North Third Street, 8th Floor

Baton Rouge, LA 70802

Or via email at dnrsolarreg@la.gov.

A public hearing was held on Friday, September 26, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. in the Griffon Room, located on the first floor of the LaSalle Building, 617 North Third Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802. Interested persons were allowed to provide public testimony during the hearing and could submit written comments to Elizabeth Ferrier by mail (address provided above) or by email at dnrsolarreg@la.gov. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the public could contact DENR’s ADA Coordinator, Maranda Rispone, at (225) 342-9088 or by email at Maranda.Rispone@la.gov within 10 working days of the hearing to arrange assistance or accommodation.

For a previous version of these rules, please see the Notice of Intent published Dec. 20, 2024 or Volume 50, No. 12 of the Louisiana Register.

The Louisiana Department of Conservation and Energy ("C&E") published a Potpourri Notice in the February 2026 edition of the Louisiana Register regarding its proposed rules governing the decommissioning, financial security, and permitting requirements for the construction and operation of certain solar power generation facilities after it was determined that additional revisions were necessary to address concerns, provide clarifications, and make substantive and structural changes resulting from the revisions. A redline version of the revised rule is available here. 

A public hearing on the substantive changes to the proposed Rule was scheduled for March 23, 2026, at 9 a.m., in the Griffon Room, located on the first floor of the LaSalle Building, 617 North Third Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802, to provide all interested persons an opportunity to submit data, views, comments, or arguments, orally or in writing. Written comments could be submitted by mail, addressed to Elizabeth Ferrier, Office of Legal Services, Department of Conservation and Energy, 12th Floor, Baton Rouge, LA 70802, or via email to DCE-Renewables@la.gov. The deadline for receipt of all written comments was March 23, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact C&E’s ADA Coordinator, Maranda Rispone, at (225) 342-9088 or by email at Maranda.Rispone@la.gov within 10 working days of the hearing if you need assistance or accommodation.

Pursuant to the Louisiana Administrative Procedure Act, C&E submitted a summary report to the appropriate legislative committees on June 1, 2026, regarding revisions to the proposed rules set forth in LAC 43:I.5101-5121 regarding decommissioning, financial security, and permitting solar power generation facilities. The revisions were published in a Potpourri Notice in February 2026. A public hearing was held on March 23, 2026, and public comments were received. No changes to the proposed rule were made as a result of the public comments, and a redline of the rule was provided with the report to the committees. 

The Louisiana Department of Conservation and Energy (“C&E”) is proposing the adoption of LAC 43:I.5301-5309. The proposed rule requires a permit to construct, install, or operate certain solar power generation facilities and establishes regulations governing siting standards for said facilities. The proposed rule will be published as a Notice of Intent in the Louisiana Register on March 20, 2026. C&E anticipates the effective date for the proposed rule will be after June 20, 2026.

Inquiries on this proposed rule may be directed to:

Elizabeth Ferrier

Attorney, Office of Legal Services

Department of Conservation and Energy

617 North Third Street, 12th Floor

Baton Rouge, LA 70802

Or via email at DCE-Renewables@la.gov.

Interested persons may submit written comments and request a public hearing on the proposed rule no later than Friday, April 10, 2026, by 4:30 p.m. Written comments and hearing requests may be submitted either by mail to the above-mentioned address or via email to DCE-Renewables@la.gov.

A public hearing was not requested pursuant to R.S. 49:961(B)(1), thus, the hearing scheduled for Friday, April 24, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. is cancelled. 

Please visit C&E’s website at https://www.dce.louisiana.gov/page/hearing-comment-calendar or email DCE-Renewables@la.gov after the request deadline to confirm if the public hearing is scheduled. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact C&E’s ADA Coordinator, Maranda Rispone, at (225) 342-9088 or by email at Maranda.Rispone@la.gov within 10 working days of the hearing if you need assistance or accommodation.   

A public hearing on the substantive changes to the proposed Rule was scheduled for March 23, 2026, at 9 a.m., in the Griffon Room, located on the first floor of the LaSalle Building, 617 North Third Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802, to provide all interested persons an opportunity to submit data, views, comments, or arguments, orally or in writing. Written comments could be submitted by mail, addressed to Elizabeth Ferrier, Office of Legal Services, Department of Conservation and Energy, 12th Floor, Baton Rouge, LA 70802, or via email to DCE-Renewables@la.gov. The deadline for receipt of all written comments was March 23, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact C&E’s ADA Coordinator, Maranda Rispone, at (225) 342-9088 or by email at Maranda.Rispone@la.gov within 10 working days of the hearing if you need assistance or accommodation.