AB256-ASA2,3,1010 4. Two members representing environmental groups.
AB256-ASA2,3,1111 5. Two members representing realtors.
AB256-ASA2,4,3
16. Two members who are landowners living adjacent to or in the vicinity of a
2wind energy system and who have not received compensation by or on behalf of
3owners, operators, or developers of wind energy systems.
AB256-ASA2,4,44 7. Two public members.
AB256-ASA2,4,65 8. One member who is a University of Wisconsin System faculty member with
6expertise regarding the health impacts of wind energy systems.
AB256-ASA2, s. 2 7Section 2. 23.39 of the statutes is created to read:
AB256-ASA2,4,12 823.39 Placement of wind turbines. The department shall identify areas in
9this state where wind turbines, if placed in those areas, may have a significant
10adverse effect on bat and migratory bird populations. The department shall
11maintain an Internet Web site that provides this information to the public and that
12includes a map of the identified areas.
AB256-ASA2, s. 3 13Section 3. 66.0401 (1) of the statutes is renumbered 66.0401 (1m), and 66.0401
14(1m) (intro.), as renumbered, is amended to read:
AB256-ASA2,4,2215 66.0401 (1m) Authority to restrict systems limited. (intro.) No county, city,
16town, or village
political subdivision may place any restriction, either directly or in
17effect, on the installation or use of a wind energy system that is more restrictive than
18the rules promulgated by the commission under s. 196.378 (4g) (b). No political
19subdivision
may place any restriction, either directly or in effect, on the installation
20or use of a solar energy system, as defined in s. 13.48 (2) (h) 1. g., or a wind energy
21system, as defined in s. 66.0403 (1) (m), unless the restriction satisfies one of the
22following conditions:
AB256-ASA2, s. 4 23Section 4. 66.0401 (1e) of the statutes is created to read:
AB256-ASA2,4,2424 66.0401 (1e) Definitions. In this section:
AB256-ASA2,5,3
1(a) "Application for approval" means an application for approval of a wind
2energy system under rules promulgated by the commission under s. 196.378 (4g) (c)
31.
AB256-ASA2,5,44 (b) "Commission" means the public service commission.
AB256-ASA2,5,55 (c) "Political subdivision" means a city, village, town, or county.
AB256-ASA2,5,66 (d) "Wind energy system" has the meaning given in s. 66.0403 (1) (m).
AB256-ASA2, s. 5 7Section 5. 66.0401 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB256-ASA2,5,178 66.0401 (2) Authority to require trimming of blocking vegetation. A county,
9city, village, or town
Subject to sub. (6) (a), a political subdivision may provide by
10enact an ordinance for relating to the trimming of vegetation that blocks solar
11energy, as defined in s. 66.0403 (1) (k), from a collector surface, as defined under s.
12700.41 (2) (b), or that blocks wind from a wind energy system, as defined in s. 66.0403
13(1) (m)
. The ordinance may include, but is not limited to, a designation of
14responsibility for the costs of the trimming. The ordinance may not require the
15trimming of vegetation that was planted by the owner or occupant of the property on
16which the vegetation is located before the installation of the solar or wind energy
17system.
AB256-ASA2, s. 6 18Section 6. 66.0401 (3) of the statutes is created to read:
AB256-ASA2,5,2319 66.0401 (3) Testing activities. A political subdivision may not prohibit or
20restrict any person from conducting testing activities to determine the suitability of
21a site for the placement of a wind energy system. A political subdivision objecting
22to such testing may petition the commission to impose reasonable restrictions on the
23testing activity.
AB256-ASA2, s. 7 24Section 7. 66.0401 (4) of the statutes is created to read:
AB256-ASA2,6,13
166.0401 (4) Local procedure. (a) 1. Subject to subd. 2., a political subdivision
2that receives an application for approval shall determine whether it is complete and,
3no later than 45 days after the application is filed, notify the applicant about the
4determination. As soon as possible after receiving the application for approval, the
5political subdivision shall publish a class 1 notice, under ch. 985, stating that an
6application for approval has been filed with the political subdivision. If the political
7subdivision determines that the application is incomplete, the notice shall state the
8reason for the determination. An applicant may supplement and refile an
9application that the political subdivision has determined to be incomplete. There is
10no limit on the number of times that an applicant may refile an application for
11approval. If the political subdivision fails to determine whether an application for
12approval is complete within 45 days after the application is filed, the application
13shall be considered to be complete.
AB256-ASA2,6,2114 2. If a political subdivision that receives an application for approval under
15subd. 1. does not have in effect an ordinance described under par. (g), the 45-day time
16period for determining whether an application is complete, as described in subd. 1.,
17does not begin until the first day of the 4th month beginning after the political
18subdivision receives the application. A political subdivision may notify an applicant
19at any time, after receipt of the application and before the first day of the 4th month
20after its receipt, that it does not intend to enact an ordinance described under par.
21(g).
AB256-ASA2,6,2422 3. On the same day that an applicant makes an application for approval under
23subd. 1. for a wind energy system, the applicant shall mail or deliver written notice
24of the application to the owners of land adjoining the site of the wind energy system.
AB256-ASA2,7,2
14. A political subdivision may not consider an applicant's minor modification
2to the application to constitute a new application for the purposes of this subsection.
AB256-ASA2,7,83 (b) A political subdivision shall make a record of its decision making on an
4application for approval, including a recording of any public hearing, copies of
5documents submitted at any public hearing, and copies of any other documents
6provided to the political subdivision in connection with the application for approval.
7The political subdivision's record shall conform to the commission's rules
8promulgated under s. 196.378 (4g) (c) 2.
AB256-ASA2,7,129 (c) A political subdivision shall base its decision on an application for approval
10on written findings of fact that are supported by the evidence in the record under par.
11(b). A political subdivision's procedure for reviewing the application for approval
12shall conform to the commission's rules promulgated under s. 196.378 (4g) (c) 3.
AB256-ASA2,7,1713 (d) Except as provided in par. (e), a political subdivision shall approve or
14disapprove an application for approval no later than 90 days after the day on which
15it notifies the applicant that the application for approval is complete. If a political
16subdivision fails to act within the 90 days, or within any extended time period
17established under par. (e), the application is considered approved.
AB256-ASA2,7,2118 (e) A political subdivision may extend the time period in par. (d) if, within that
1990-day period, the political subdivision authorizes the extension in writing. Any
20combination of the following extensions may be granted, except that the total amount
21of time for all extensions granted under this paragraph may not exceed 90 days:
AB256-ASA2,7,2322 1. An extension of up to 45 days if the political subdivision needs additional
23information to determine whether to approve or deny the application for approval.
AB256-ASA2,7,2524 2. An extension of up to 90 days if the applicant makes a material modification
25to the application for approval.
AB256-ASA2,8,2
13. An extension of up to 90 days for other good cause specified in writing by the
2political subdivision.
AB256-ASA2,8,63 (f) 1. Except as provided in subd. 2., a political subdivision may not deny or
4impose a restriction on an application for approval unless the political subdivision
5enacts an ordinance that is no more restrictive than the rules the commission
6promulgates under s. 196.378 (4g) (b).
AB256-ASA2,8,137 2. A political subdivision may deny an application for approval if the proposed
8site of the wind energy system is in an area primarily designated for future
9residential or commercial development, as shown in a map that is adopted, as part
10of a comprehensive plan, under s. 66.1001 (2) (b) and (f), before June 2, 2009, or as
11shown in such maps after December 31, 2015, as part of a comprehensive plan that
12is updated as required under s. 66.1001 (2) (i). This subdivision applies to a wind
13energy system that has a nominal capacity of at least one megawatt.
AB256-ASA2,8,1714 (g) A political subdivision that chooses to regulate wind energy systems shall
15enact an ordinance, subject to sub. (6) (b), that is no more restrictive than the
16applicable standards established by the commission in rules promulgated under s.
17196.378 (4g).
AB256-ASA2, s. 8 18Section 8. 66.0401 (5) of the statutes is created to read:
AB256-ASA2,8,2319 66.0401 (5) Public service commission review. (a) A decision of a political
20subdivision to determine that an application is incomplete under sub. (4) (a) 1., or to
21approve, disapprove, or impose a restriction upon a wind energy system, or an action
22of a political subdivision to enforce a restriction on a wind energy system, may be
23appealed only as provided in this subsection.
AB256-ASA2,9,824 (b) 1. Any aggrieved person seeking to appeal a decision or enforcement action
25specified in par. (a) may begin the political subdivision's administrative review

1process. If the person is still aggrieved after the administrative review is completed,
2the person may file an appeal with the commission. No appeal to the commission
3under this subdivision may be filed later than 30 days after the political subdivision
4has completed its administrative review process. For purposes of this subdivision,
5if a political subdivision fails to complete its administrative review process within 90
6days after an aggrieved person begins the review process, the political subdivision
7is considered to have completed the process on the 90th day after the person began
8the process.
AB256-ASA2,9,139 2. Rather than beginning an administrative review under subd. 1., an
10aggrieved person seeking to appeal a decision or enforcement action of a political
11subdivision specified in par. (a) may file an appeal directly with the commission. No
12appeal to the commission under this subdivision may be filed later than 30 days after
13the decision or initiation of the enforcement action.
AB256-ASA2,9,1814 3. An applicant whose application for approval is denied under sub. (4) (f) 2.
15may appeal the denial to the commission. The commission may grant the appeal
16notwithstanding the inconsistency of the application for approval with the political
17subdivision's planned residential or commercial development if the commission
18determines that granting the appeal is consistent with the public interest.
AB256-ASA2,9,2419 (c) Upon receiving an appeal under par. (b), the commission shall notify the
20political subdivision. The political subdivision shall provide a certified copy of the
21record upon which it based its decision or enforcement action within 30 days after
22receiving notice. The commission may request of the political subdivision any other
23relevant governmental records and, if requested, the political subdivision shall
24provide such records within 30 days after receiving the request.
AB256-ASA2,9,25
1(d) The commission may confine its review to the records it receives from the
2political subdivision or, if it finds that additional information would be relevant to
3its decision, expand the records it reviews. The commission shall issue a decision
4within 90 days after the date on which it receives all of the records it requests under
5par. (c), unless for good cause the commission extends this time period in writing.
6If the commission determines that the political subdivision's decision or enforcement
7action does not comply with the rules it promulgates under s. 196.378 (4g) or is
8otherwise unreasonable, the political subdivision's decision shall be superseded by
9the commission's decision and the commission may order an appropriate remedy.
AB256-ASA2,10,1410 (e) In conducting a review under par. (d), the commission may treat a political
11subdivision's determination that an application under sub. (4) (a) 1. is incomplete as
12a decision to disapprove the application if the commission determines that a political
13subdivision has unreasonably withheld its determination that an application is
14complete.
AB256-ASA2,10,1915 (f) Judicial review is not available until the commission issues its decision or
16order under par. (d). Judicial review shall be of the commission's decision or order,
17not of the political subdivision's decision or enforcement action. The commission's
18decision or order is subject to judicial review under ch. 227. Injunctive relief is
19available only as provided in s. 196.43.
AB256-ASA2, s. 9 20Section 9. 66.0401 (6) of the statutes is created to read:
AB256-ASA2,10,2321 66.0401 (6) Applicability of a political subdivision or county ordinance. (a)
221. A county ordinance enacted under sub. (2) applies only to the towns in the county
23that have not enacted an ordinance under sub. (2).
AB256-ASA2,11,224 2. If a town enacts an ordinance under sub. (2) after a county has enacted an
25ordinance under sub. (2), the county ordinance does not apply, and may not be

1enforced, in the town, except that if the town later repeals its ordinance, the county
2ordinance applies in that town.
AB256-ASA2,11,43 (b) 1. Subject to subd. 2., a county ordinance enacted under sub. (4) applies only
4in the unincorporated parts of the county.
AB256-ASA2,11,85 2. If a town enacts an ordinance under sub. (4), either before or after a county
6enacts an ordinance under sub. (4), the more restrictive terms of the 2 ordinances
7apply to the town, except that if the town later repeals its ordinance, the county
8ordinance applies in that town.
AB256-ASA2,11,139 (c) If a political subdivision enacts an ordinance under sub. (4) (g) after the
10commission's rules promulgated under s. 196.378 (4g) take effect, the political
11subdivision may not apply that ordinance to, or require approvals under that
12ordinance for, a wind energy system approved by the political subdivision under a
13previous ordinance or under a development agreement.
AB256-ASA2, s. 10 14Section 10. 66.0403 (1) (m) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB256-ASA2,11,1715 66.0403 (1) (m) "Wind energy system" means equipment and associated
16facilities
that converts convert and then stores store or transfers transfer energy
17from the wind into usable forms of energy.
AB256-ASA2, s. 11 18Section 11. 196.378 (4) (title) of the statutes is repealed and recreated to read:
AB256-ASA2,11,1919 196.378 (4) (title) Renewable resource rules.
AB256-ASA2, s. 12 20Section 12. 196.378 (4g) of the statutes is created to read:
AB256-ASA2,11,2121 196.378 (4g) Wind energy systems. (a) In this subsection:
AB256-ASA2,11,2222 1. "Application for approval" has the meaning given in s. 66.0401 (1e) (a).
AB256-ASA2,12,223 2. "Decommissioning" means removing wind turbines, buildings, cables,
24electrical components, roads, and any other facilities associated with a wind energy

1system that are located at the site of the wind energy system and restoring the site
2of the wind energy system.
AB256-ASA2,12,33 3. "Political subdivision" means a city, village, town, or county.
AB256-ASA2,12,44 4. "Wind energy system" has the meaning given in s. 66.0403 (1) (m).
AB256-ASA2,12,165 (b) The commission shall, with the advice of the wind siting council, promulgate
6rules that specify the restrictions a political subdivision may impose on the
7installation or use of a wind energy system consistent with the conditions specified
8in s. 66.0401 (1m) (a) to (c). The subject matter of these rules shall include setback
9requirements that provide reasonable protection from any health effects, including
10health effects from noise and shadow flicker, associated with wind energy systems.
11The subject matter of these rules shall also include decommissioning and may
12include visual appearance, lighting, electrical connections to the power grid, setback
13distances, maximum audible sound levels, shadow flicker, proper means of
14measuring noise, interference with radio, telephone, or television signals, or other
15matters. A political subdivision may not place a restriction on the installation or use
16of a wind energy system that is more restrictive than these rules.
AB256-ASA2,12,1817 (c) In addition to the rules under par. (b), the commission shall, with the advice
18of the wind siting council, promulgate rules that do all of the following:
AB256-ASA2,12,2119 1. Specify the information and documentation to be provided in an application
20for approval to demonstrate that a proposed wind energy system complies with rules
21promulgated under par. (b)
AB256-ASA2,12,2322 2. Specify the information and documentation to be included in a political
23subdivision's record of decision under s. 66.0401 (4) (b).
AB256-ASA2,12,2524 3. Specify the procedure a political subdivision shall follow in reviewing an
25application for approval under s. 66.0401 (4).
AB256-ASA2,13,2
14. Specify the requirements and procedures for a political subdivision to enforce
2the restrictions allowed under par. (b).
AB256-ASA2,13,93 (d) The commission shall promulgate rules requiring the owner of a wind
4energy system with a nominal operating capacity of at least one megawatt to
5maintain proof of financial responsibility ensuring the availability of funds for
6decommissioning the wind energy system upon discontinuance of use of the wind
7energy system. The rules may require that the proof can be established by a bond,
8deposit, escrow account, irrevocable letter of credit, or other financial commitment
9specified by the commission.
AB256-ASA2,13,1810 (e) The wind siting council shall survey the peer-reviewed scientific research
11regarding the health impacts of wind energy systems and study state and national
12regulatory developments regarding the siting of wind energy systems. No later than
13the first day of the 60th month beginning after the effective date of this paragraph
14.... [LRB inserts date], and every 5 years thereafter, the wind siting council shall
15submit a report to the chief clerk of each house of the legislature, for distribution to
16the appropriate standing committees under s. 13.172 (3), describing the research and
17regulatory developments and including any recommendations of the council for
18legislation that is based on the research and regulatory developments.
AB256-ASA2, s. 13 19Section 13. 196.491 (3) (dg) of the statutes is created to read:
AB256-ASA2,13,2420 196.491 (3) (dg) In making a determination under par. (d) that applies to a large
21electric generating facility, if the large electric generating facility is a wind energy
22system, as defined in s. 66.0403 (1) (m), the commission shall consider whether
23installation or use of the facility is consistent with the standards specified in the
24rules promulgated by the commission under s. 196.378 (4g) (b).
AB256-ASA2, s. 14 25Section 14. Nonstatutory provisions.
AB256-ASA2,14,6
1(1) Public hearings. The public service commission shall hold at least 2 public
2hearings prior to promulgating the rules required under section 196.378 (4g) of the
3statutes, as created by this act. The public service commission shall hold at least one
4of the hearings in Monroe County and at least one of the hearings in an area outside
5of Dane County and Monroe County in which developers have proposed wind energy
6systems, as defined in section 66.0403 (1) (m) of the statutes, as affected by this act.
AB256-ASA2,14,77 (2) Wind siting council members.
AB256-ASA2,14,108 (a) Notwithstanding the length of terms specified for the members of the wind
9siting council specified in section 15.797 (1) (b) of the statutes, as created by this act,
10the initial members shall be appointed for the following terms:
AB256-ASA2,14,12 111. One member specified under section 15.797 (1) (b) 1., 2., 3., 4., 5., 6., and 7.
12of the statutes, as created by this act, for terms expiring on July 1, 2012.
AB256-ASA2,14,14 132. The member specified under section 15.797 (1) (b) 8. of the statutes, as
14created by this act, for a term expiring on July 1, 2013.
AB256-ASA2,14,16 153. One member specified under section 15.797 (1) (b) 1., 2., 3., 4., 5., 6., and 7.
16of the statutes, as created by this act for terms that expire on July 1, 2014.
AB256-ASA2,14,2217 (b) Notwithstanding section 15.797 (1) (b) 2. of the statutes, as created by this
18act, the initial member of the wind siting council specified under section 15.797 (1)
19(b) 2. of the statutes that is appointed under paragraph (a) 3 . shall represent a town
20or county that has in effect on the effective date of this paragraph an ordinance
21regulating wind energy systems, as defined in section 66.0403 (1) (m) of the statutes,
22as affected by this act.
AB256-ASA2,15,14 23(3) Department of natural resources study. The department of natural
24resources shall conduct a study to determine whether the department's statutory
25authority is sufficient to adequately protect wildlife and the environment from any

1adverse effect from the siting, construction, or operation of wind energy systems. In
2conducting the study, the department shall consider the authority of other state
3agencies and political subdivisions to regulate the environmental impact of wind
4energy systems, including the authority of the public service commission under
5section 196.491 (3) (d) 3. and 4. of the statutes and of political subdivisions under
6section 66.0401 (1m) and (4) (g) of the statutes, as affected by this act. On or before
7the first day of the 13th month beginning after the effective date of this subsection,
8the department shall submit a report containing the results of the study to the
9legislature in the manner provided under section 13.172 (2) of the statutes. If the
10department's study concludes that the department's statutory authority is not
11sufficient to adequately protect wildlife and the environment from any adverse effect
12from the siting, construction, or operation of wind energy systems, the report shall
13include recommendations to the legislature for a bill that provides the department
14with such authority.
AB256-ASA2, s. 15 15Section 15. Initial applicability.
AB256-ASA2,15,2016 (1) The public service commission review process for a political subdivision's
17decision or enforcement action under section 66.0401 (5) of the statutes, as created
18by this act, first applies to a local decision or action that is issued or initiated after
19the public service commission's rules under section 196.378 (4g) of the statutes, as
20created by this act, take effect.
AB256-ASA2,15,2421 (2) The treatment of section 196.491 (3) (dg) of the statutes, as created by this
22act, first applies to applications for certificates of public convenience and necessity
23that are received after the public service commission's rules under section 196.378
24(4g) of the statutes, as created by this act, take effect.
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