SB491: Bill Text

SB491, s. 4 Section 4. 196.378 (4g) (a) 2r. of the statutes is created to read:

SB491,3,13 196.378 (4g) (a) 2r. "Large wind energy system owner" means any of the following:

SB491,4,2 a. A person with a direct ownership interest in a large wind energy system, regardless of whether the person was involved in acquiring the necessary rights, permits, and approvals or otherwise planning for the construction and operation of a large wind energy system.

SB491,4,7 b. At the time a large wind energy system is being developed, a person who is acting as a large wind energy system developer by acquiring the necessary rights, permits, and approvals for or by planning for the construction and operation of a large wind energy system, regardless of whether the person will own or operate the large wind energy system.

SB491, s. 5 Section 5. 196.378 (4g) (a) 5. of the statutes is created to read:

SB491,4,10 196.378 (4g) (a) 5. "Working day" means each day except Saturday, Sunday, or a legal holiday under s. 995.20.

SB491, s. 6 Section 6. 196.378 (4g) (am) of the statutes is created to read:

SB491,4,15 196.378 (4g) (am) 1. A large wind energy system owner shall design and construct a large wind energy system so that the setback distance is at least 1,800 feet, unless the owners of all of the following properties agree in writing to a setback distance of less than 1,800 feet:

SB491,4,17 a. Properties that adjoin the property on which the large wind energy system is located.

SB491,4,19 b. Properties separated only by a right-of-way from the property on which the large wind energy system is located.

SB491,4,23 2. For purposes of this paragraph, setback distance shall be measured as a straight line from the vertical center line of the wind turbine tower of the large wind energy system to the nearest point on the property line of the property on which the large wind energy system is located.

SB491, s. 7 Section 7. 196.378 (4g) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB491,5,13 196.378 (4g) (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.

SB491, s. 8 Section 8. 196.378 (4g) (br) of the statutes is created to read:

SB491,5,17 196.378 (4g) (br) Any rules promulgated under par. (b) that involve a person who is affected by a wind energy system, including rules requiring written notice, shall ensure that such a person includes an affected owner.

SB491, s. 9 Section 9. 196.378 (4g) (c) 5. of the statutes is created to read:

SB491,5,22 196.378 (4g) (c) 5. Allow an affected owner who has entered into an agreement with the owner or operator of a wind energy system regarding the installation or use of the wind energy system to terminate the agreement upon giving written notice of the termination no later than 10 working days after entering into the agreement.

SB491, s. 10 Section 10. 196.378 (4g) (c) 6. of the statutes is created to read:

SB491,6,2 196.378 (4g) (c) 6. Require the owner or operator of a wind energy system to provide a copy of the brochure specified in par. (dm) to an affected owner prior to entering into an agreement with the affected owner regarding the installation or use of the wind energy system.

SB491, s. 11 Section 11. 196.378 (4g) (c) 7. of the statutes is created to read:

SB491,6,9 196.378 (4g) (c) 7. Require any individual who negotiates an agreement with an affected owner on behalf of the owner or operator of a wind energy system regarding an interest in real estate related to the installation or use of the wind energy system to make a written disclosure that the individual is licensed as a real estate broker under ch. 452 or is exempt from such licensure. The rules shall also require inclusion of the written disclosure as an addendum to the agreement.

SB491, s. 12 Section 12. 196.378 (4g) (dm) of the statutes is created to read:

SB491,6,15 196.378 (4g) (dm) The commission shall prepare and make available to the public a brochure that describes wind energy systems, requirements under state law applicable to wind energy systems, including any provisions of the commission's rules that allow for waiver of any such requirements, and the possible impacts of wind energy systems on property owners, including affected owners.

SB491, s. 13 Section 13. 196.378 (4g) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB491,7,2 196.378 (4g) (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. The wind siting council shall also study the impacts of wind energy systems on property values. No later than October 1, 2014, 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 property value impacts, and including any recommendations of the council for legislation that is based on the research and, regulatory developments, and property value impacts.

SB491, s. 14 Section 14. Nonstatutory provisions.

SB491,7,9 (1) The public service commission shall submit in proposed form the rules that are necessary to comply with section 196.378 (4g) (br) of the statutes, as created by this act, and that are required under section 196.378 (4g) (c) 5., 6., and 7. of the statutes, as created by this act, to the legislative council staff under section 227.15 (1) of the statutes no later than the first day of the 4th month beginning after the effective date of this subsection.

SB491,7,20 (2) The public service commission shall comply with section 196.378 (4g) (br) of the statutes, as created by this act, by using the procedure under section 227.24 of the statutes to promulgate rules under section 196.378 (4g) (b) of the statutes, for the period before the effective date of the rules submitted under subsection (1), but not to exceed the period authorized under section 227.24 (1) (c) of the statutes, subject to extension under section 227.24 (2) of the statutes. Notwithstanding section 227.24 (1) (a), (2) (b), and (3) of the statutes, the public service commission is not required to provide evidence that promulgating rules under this subsection as emergency rules is necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health, safety, or welfare and is not required to provide a finding of emergency for rules promulgated under this subsection.

SB491,8,5 (3) Using the procedure under section 227.24 of the statutes, the public service commission shall promulgate rules required under section 196.378 (4g) (c) 5., 6., and 7. of the statutes, as created by this act, for the period before the effective date of the rules submitted under subsection (1 ), but not to exceed the period authorized under section 227.24 (1) (c) of the statutes, subject to extension under section 227.24 (2) of the statutes. Notwithstanding section 227.24 (1) (a), (2) (b), and (3) of the statutes, the public service commission is not required to provide evidence that promulgating rules under this subsection as emergency rules is necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health, safety, or welfare and is not required to provide a finding of emergency for rules promulgated under this subsection.

SB491, s. 15 Section 15. Initial applicability.

SB491,8,9 (1) The treatment of section 196.378 (4g) (am) of the statutes first applies to large wind energy systems for which design or construction commences on the effective date of this subsection.

SB491, s. 16 Section 16. Effective date.

SB491,8,12 (1) This act takes effect on the first day of the 4th month beginning after publication.

SB491,8,13 (End)