HB106 Summary

• Establishes the Alabama Wind Energy Conversion Systems Act of 2014 requiring persons to obtain permits from the Alabama Department of Environmental Management before installing or operating wind energy conversion systems.

• Requires municipal or county governing body approval of system locations and compliance with applicable zoning regulations.

• Mandates that all wind energy conversion system tower designs be certified by a licensed engineer with prior experience in wind energy systems and comply with state building and electrical codes.

• Requires applicants to maintain $1,000,000 in financial assurance for liability coverage and reclamation costs, plus a $1,000 permit fee and costs for department review.

• Designates systems inactive for 365 consecutive days as abandoned and subject to removal; establishes noise limits of 40 decibels at property lines and minimum 2,500-foot setback from adjacent properties.