Senate committee substitute to the 1st edition makes the following changes.
Modifies the notice requirement under GS 143-215.119 so that an applicant for a proposed wind energy facility/wind energy facility expansion now has to notify all described property owners within one mile of any property boundary of the facility (was, 20 miles). Requires the applicant to provide notice, as described, to each county board of commissioners and the governing body of each municipality within 20 miles of the proposed facility. Changes the Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) requirement to publish notice of hearing on the facility for counties outside the proposed facility to require publication in a newspaper of general circulation in any counties within 20 miles of any property boundary of the facility (was, counties bordering the county where the facility will be located). Requires DEQ to also provide written notice of the hearing, as specified, to the governing bodies of each municipality located within 20 miles of the proposed facility. Instructs, in GS 143-215.121.1, that the addition of a light-mitigating technology system to an existing wind energy permit does not require any amendments, revisions, or modifications of any existing wind energy facility permit or any additional permit from DEQ. Requires the permit holder to notify DEQ and to pay a registration fee of $25.
Bill Summaries: all (2025-2026 Session)
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Bill S 513 (2025-2026)Summary date: May 7 2025 - View summary
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Bill S 513 (2025-2026)Summary date: Mar 26 2025 - View summary
Amends the permit requirements for a wind energy facility or facility expansion in GS 143-215.119(a)(4) by requiring the applicant to inform every property owner within 20 miles of the proposed wind energy facility, including the specific location of every proposed wind turbine. Creates new subparagraph (a)(7a), requiring documentation that the applicant filed a request with the FAA for a light-mitigating technology system. Amends subsection (f) to require the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to provide notice of the time and location of the public hearing on any wind energy facility in each county where the proposed facility will be located as well as any bordering counties.
Amends GS 143-215.120(b) to require documentation of the FAA’s approval of a light-mitigating technology system for a proposed wind energy facility before DEQ makes a final decision on any permit application.
Creates new GS 143-215.121.1 (Light-mitigating technology requirements), requiring wind energy facility or facility expansion permit applicants and permit holders to apply for approval from the FAA and install light-mitigating technology, as defined, on approved wind turbines.
Applies to wind energy facility permits filed on or after the effective date, except that the requirement to apply for and install light-mitigating technology applies to existing wind energy facility permits and holders must apply to the FAA no later than 60 days after the effective date of the act.