Regulation of Large Solar and Wind Energy Facilities
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Bill Summary - 20LSO-0231 Bill No.: SF0036 Effective: Multiple Dates LSO No.: 20LSO-0231 Enrolled Act No.: SEA No. 0045 Chapter No.: 105 Prime Sponsor: Joint Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions Interim Committee Catch Title: Large scale solar and wind energy facilities. Subject: Large scale solar and wind energy facilities. Summary/Major Elements: Existing law requires certain facilities generating electricity from wind power to obtain a permit from every county in which the facility is located. This bill expands that requirement to include a facility with a rated power capacity of more than one-half (0.5) megawatt of electricity from solar power. The bill establishes the minimum standards that counties must apply when issuing permits for solar energy facilities. The bill also modifies standards for a permit granted for a wind energy facility. The bill exempts from the Solar Rights Act a solar collector that is part of a facility that has a rated power capacity of more than five hundred (500) kilowatts or would result in a surface disturbance equal to or greater than one hundred (100) acres. Under existing law, the Industrial Siting Council has jurisdiction over wind energy facilities, including their collector systems, that consist of thirty (30) or more wind turbines in all planned phases of the installation. This bill modifies that to twenty (20) or more wind turbines. The bill also expands the Industrial Siting Council's jurisdiction over "facilities" to include any commercial facility generating electricity from solar power and associated solar collector systems if the facility has a rated power capacity of more than thirty (30) megawatts or would result in a surface disturbance equal to or greater than one hundred (100) acres or is expanded to where the facility would satisfy either of these requirements. Comments: That portion of this act requiring the Industrial Siting Council to promulgate rules is effective immediately. The remainder of this act is effective July 1, 2020. The above summary is not an official publication of the Wyoming Legislature and is not an official statement of legislative intent. While the Legislative Service Office endeavored to provide accurate information in this summary, it should not be relied upon as a comprehensive abstract of the bill.
Public statements
Last checked Aug 6, 11:52 AM
R · S27
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the bill because it places large-scale solar projects under the jurisdiction of the Industrial Siting Council, which was a key goal achieved through committee work.
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the amendment because reducing the setback to one and a half miles restores approximately 4,000 acres of developable land for wind farms, which provides significantly higher income per acre than traditional agriculture.
R · H09
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the amendment because military documentation indicates operations can be safely conducted within a one-and-a-half mile radius, and he argues that landowners were excluded from previous discussions while the state addresses what should be a federal issue.
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the amendment because restoring nearly six square miles of land for wind development would provide a significant economic benefit to landowners compared to traditional livestock farming.
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker opposes the amendment because it fails to address the complex conflict between various property rights, including those of nuclear weapons and wind development, which must be sorted out.
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the bill and opposes the amendment because it addresses problems created by federal government inaction regarding military airspace issues that Wyoming must handle itself.
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the amendment specifically to protect private property rights.
R · H03
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the amendment because he believes it is a major issue regarding property rights that warrants further consideration and consultation over the weekend.
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the amendment due to confusion over who is responsible for implementing required mitigation measures mentioned in the bill.
H31
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker opposes the amendment because removing the setbacks would allow windmills to be placed dangerously close to nuclear silos, ignoring military concerns.
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker argues that giving up property surface rights without landowners at the table is a problem, and he opposes passing the bill in its current form.
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker opposes the amendment because she believes the bill already includes safeguards requiring consultation with military bases before construction, rather than banning development entirely.
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the bill because it was developed through collaboration between industry and military to provide necessary oversight for large projects.
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the bill because it resolves conflicts between solar and wind development and underlying mineral resources in his region.
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the bill because it prevents large solar facilities from tying up resources that cannot be used later, which is critical for the state.
If a lawmaker is not listed, we couldn't find a published reason.
Wyoming roll calls
7 roll calls
Official activity
Changes
16 stored
The amendment adds requirements for solar and wind energy facilities to obtain approval from public airports within a certain distance, ensuring that the facility will not affect flight safety.
The amendment adds requirements for solar and wind energy facilities to notify public airport governing bodies within a certain distance about potential impacts on flight safety, and mandates that permits cannot be granted without a written opinion from the airport body stating there will be no impact on flight safety.
The amendment changes the number 'two' to 'one and one-half' in two places within the bill.
The amendment removes specific sections and subsections from the bill related to solar and wind energy facilities, including parts that were added by a previous amendment.
The amendment removes a specific line from the bill's first page.
The amendment adds a new section to the bill that prevents local governments from banning solar collectors unless it is for public health and safety reasons or as allowed by specific state laws.
The amendment modifies certain sections of the bill to clarify requirements for solar and wind energy facilities, including approval processes, landowner notifications, and considerations regarding mineral resources.
The amendment changes how notices are given to landowners affected by certain solar and wind energy facilities.
The amendment changes how notices are given to landowners affected by certain solar and wind energy facilities.
The amendment removes specific lines from the bill that deal with permitting requirements for solar energy facilities.
The amendment changes how solar and wind energy facilities are defined, ensuring that planned or structured facilities cannot avoid regulations.
The amendment changes a specific phrase in the bill and adds new language about improvements to existing wind turbines.
The amendment changes the wording in an existing bill to require that solar energy facilities must be 'permitted' rather than 'existing'.
The amendment modifies the text of a bill to change requirements for solar and wind energy facilities by altering references to facility sizes and adding considerations for electric transmission.
The amendment adds new requirements for wind energy facilities near federal military missile launch sites, including obtaining specific documentation from the military and aviation authorities.
The amendment approves the substitute version of Senate Bill 0036, which relates to regulating solar and wind energy facilities.