House passes wind facilities siting bill

The House on July 14 approved a bill to expedite the process of siting wind energy facilities.

The bill was amended to ensure a municipal role in the state permit and appeal process by adding a municipal representative to the Energy Facilities Siting Board, which would grant state permits for wind facilities.

The House also approved an amendment to give “wind-rich” communities the option to establish a single hybrid board for local permitting, designate that authority to the local planning board, or keep their current panels in place.

The House bill (H.4886) includes language that states that the Department of Energy Resources “shall identify governmental bodies (school district, housing authority, water district, etc.) with significant wind resources,” whereas the Senate version only mentions municipalities. The MMA is concerned that the House language could allow a school district or other agency to establish a wind facility permitting board and grant permits. The MMA has been working with key legislators to address this concern.

The House bill would also prevent a municipal official and the commissioner of Fish and Game from participating in any non-wind matter before the Energy Facilities Siting Board. The MMA opposes this restriction and will work to strike this language from the final bill.

Legislative leaders are working to reconcile differences between the House and Senate bills. They expect to pass a final bill before the end of the current legislative session on July 31.

The MMA has been working for more than two years with state officials, environmentalists, planners, wind developers and scientists to craft a bill that would govern the siting of wind energy facilities. The MMA has consistently voiced its support of the intent of the bills, but the association seeks to protect local authority in the process.

• MMA letter to House members outlining objections to wind siting bill changes