PURPOSE OF PANEL: The Department is establishing this Panel to review the subject legislation and make recommendations to the Department on how to implement the law’s provisions for solar projects. It is anticipated that discussion topics will include how the Department might address potential environmental impacts, and whether these potential impacts warrant protection under a permit by rule; if so, then discussion will encompass analysis of impacts, mitigation plans, facility site planning, public participation, permit fees, inter-agency consultations, enforcement and compliance, and other topics that may be brought up during the public comment period. The Department is also publishing a Notice of Intended Regulatory Action to begin the rulemaking process to implement this legislation with regard to solar energy projects. The Panel established in response to this notice will be the Panel used to assist the Department in the development of the solar energy permit by rule regulation. Members of the Panel on wind energy projects will be invited to notify the Department if they wish to participate in this solar energy Panel, and other interested parties are also encouraged to request to serve on the solar Panel.