S.B. 234 Summary

• Requires wind farm certificate applications to include wind turbine manufacturer's safety specifications and recommended setback distances.

• Modifies minimum setback requirements for wind turbines to be the greater of: (1) 1.1 times total turbine height plus at least 1,125 feet horizontal distance from nearest blade, or (2) manufacturer-recommended setback distance measured from nearest adjacent property line.

• Permits township residents to force a referendum on economically significant and large wind farm certificates by petition requiring signatures from at least 8% of voters in the unincorporated township area, with certificate becoming effective only upon majority voter approval.

• Establishes procedures for referendum results: if single township rejects certificate, it becomes invalid; if wind farm spans multiple townships, power siting board must modify certificate to exclude rejecting townships' areas.

• Applies referee requirements to amendments that add turbines, increase height or tower diameter, or change turbine locations.