2009 Wisconsin Act 40

196.378 (4) (title) Renewable resource rules.

40,12 Section 12. 196.378 (4g) of the statutes is created to read:

196.378 (4g) Wind energy systems. (a) In this subsection:

1. "Application for approval" has the meaning given in s. 66.0401 (1e) (a).

2. "Decommissioning" means removing wind turbines, buildings, cables, electrical components, roads, and any other facilities associated with a wind energy system that are located at the site of the wind energy system and restoring the site of the wind energy system.

3. "Political subdivision" means a city, village, town, or county.

4. "Wind energy system" has the meaning given in s. 66.0403 (1) (m).

(b) The commission shall, with the advice of the wind siting council, promulgate rules that specify the restrictions a political subdivision may impose on the installation or use of a wind energy system consistent with the conditions specified in s. 66.0401 (1m) (a) to (c). The subject matter of these rules shall include setback requirements that provide reasonable protection from any health effects, including health effects from noise and shadow flicker, associated with wind energy systems. The subject matter of these rules shall also include decommissioning and may include visual appearance, lighting, electrical connections to the power grid, setback distances, maximum audible sound levels, shadow flicker, proper means of measuring noise, interference with radio, telephone, or television signals, or other matters. A political subdivision may not place a restriction on the installation or use of a wind energy system that is more restrictive than these rules.

(c) In addition to the rules under par. (b), the commission shall, with the advice of the wind siting council, promulgate rules that do all of the following:

1. Specify the information and documentation to be provided in an application for approval to demonstrate that a proposed wind energy system complies with rules promulgated under par. (b)

2. Specify the information and documentation to be included in a political subdivision's record of decision under s. 66.0401 (4) (b).

3. Specify the procedure a political subdivision shall follow in reviewing an application for approval under s. 66.0401 (4).

4. Specify the requirements and procedures for a political subdivision to enforce the restrictions allowed under par. (b).

(d) The commission shall promulgate rules requiring the owner of a wind energy system with a nominal operating capacity of at least one megawatt to maintain proof of financial responsibility ensuring the availability of funds for decommissioning the wind energy system upon discontinuance of use of the wind energy system. The rules may require that the proof can be established by a bond, deposit, escrow account, irrevocable letter of credit, or other financial commitment specified by the commission.

(e) The wind siting council shall survey the peer-reviewed scientific research regarding the health impacts of wind energy systems and study state and national regulatory developments regarding the siting of wind energy systems. No later than the first day of the 60th month beginning after the effective date of this paragraph .... [LRB inserts date], and every 5 years thereafter, the wind siting council shall submit a report to the chief clerk of each house of the legislature, for distribution to the appropriate standing committees under s. 13.172 (3), describing the research and regulatory developments and including any recommendations of the council for legislation that is based on the research and regulatory developments.

40,13 Section 13. 196.491 (3) (dg) of the statutes is created to read:

196.491 (3) (dg) In making a determination under par. (d) that applies to a large electric generating facility, if the large electric generating facility is a wind energy system, as defined in s. 66.0403 (1) (m), the commission shall consider whether installation or use of the facility is consistent with the standards specified in the rules promulgated by the commission under s. 196.378 (4g) (b).

40,14 Section 14. Nonstatutory provisions.

(1) Public hearings. The public service commission shall hold at least 2 public hearings prior to promulgating the rules required under section 196.378 (4g) of the statutes, as created by this act. The public service commission shall hold at least one of the hearings in Monroe County and at least one of the hearings in an area outside of Dane County and Monroe County in which developers have proposed wind energy systems, as defined in section 66.0403 (1) (m) of the statutes, as affected by this act.

(2) Wind siting council members.

(a) Notwithstanding the length of terms specified for the members of the wind siting council specified in section 15.797 (1) (b) of the statutes, as created by this act, the initial members shall be appointed for the following terms:

1. One member specified under section 15.797 (1) (b) 1., 2., 3., 4., 5., 6., and 7. of the statutes, as created by this act, for terms expiring on July 1, 2012.

2. The member specified under section 15.797 (1) (b) 8. of the statutes, as created by this act, for a term expiring on July 1, 2013.

3. One member specified under section 15.797 (1) (b) 1., 2., 3., 4., 5., 6., and 7. of the statutes, as created by this act for terms that expire on July 1, 2014.

(b) Notwithstanding section 15.797 (1) (b) 2. of the statutes, as created by this act, the initial member of the wind siting council specified under section 15.797 (1) (b) 2. of the statutes that is appointed under paragraph (a ) 3. shall represent a town or county that has in effect on the effective date of this paragraph an ordinance regulating wind energy systems, as defined in section 66.0403 (1) (m) of the statutes, as affected by this act.

(3) Department of natural resources study. The department of natural resources shall conduct a study to determine whether the department's statutory authority is sufficient to adequately protect wildlife and the environment from any adverse effect from the siting, construction, or operation of wind energy systems. In conducting the study, the department shall consider the authority of other state agencies and political subdivisions to regulate the environmental impact of wind energy systems, including the authority of the public service commission under section 196.491 (3) (d) 3. and 4. of the statutes and of political subdivisions under section 66.0401 (1m) and (4) (g) of the statutes, as affected by this act. On or before the first day of the 13th month beginning after the effective date of this subsection, the department shall submit a report containing the results of the study to the legislature in the manner provided under section 13.172 (2) of the statutes. If the department's study concludes that the department's statutory authority is not sufficient to adequately protect wildlife and the environment from any adverse effect from the siting, construction, or operation of wind energy systems, the report shall include recommendations to the legislature for a bill that provides the department with such authority.

40,15 Section 15. Initial applicability.

(1) The public service commission review process for a political subdivision's decision or enforcement action under section 66.0401 (5) of the statutes, as created by this act, first applies to a local decision or action that is issued or initiated after the public service commission's rules under section 196.378 (4g) of the statutes, as created by this act, take effect.

(2) The treatment of section 196.491 (3) (dg) of the statutes, as created by this act, first applies to applications for certificates of public convenience and necessity that are received after the public service commission's rules under section 196.378 (4g) of the statutes, as created by this act, take effect.