SB1127 Summary

• Counties may establish standards for commercial wind energy facilities (500+ kilowatts) and commercial solar energy facilities, but standards cannot be more restrictive than those specified in this Section.

• Wind towers must maintain setback distances from occupied community buildings (2.1x maximum blade tip height), participating residences (1.1x), and nonparticipating residences (2.1x); solar facilities must maintain 150-foot setbacks from occupied community buildings and dwellings on nonparticipating properties.

• Counties must hold public hearings within 45 days of permit application, make siting decisions within 30 days of hearing conclusion, and cannot disallow wind or solar facilities in agricultural or industrial zones.

• Counties cannot require property value guarantees, impose unreasonable permit fees, set sound limitations more restrictive than state standards, or require decommissioning standards more restrictive than Department of Agriculture templates.

• Facility owners with county siting approval are authorized to cross and impact drainage systems without prior district approval but must repair any damage caused by construction.