Bill Summaries: S331 MILITARY OPERATIONS PROTECTION ACT OF 2017.

Printer-friendly: Click to view
Tracking:
  • Summary date: Mar 21 2017 - View Summary

    Contains whereas clauses.

    Establishes a statewide moratorium on consideration of applications for and on the issuance of permits for wind energy facilities and expansions, to allow the General Assembly time to study the extent and scope of military operations in the State and the impact of future wind energy facilities on military operations. Directs the Department of Environmental Quality and the Coastal Resources Commission to not consider applications for wind energy facilities from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2020. Does not prohibit consideration of application or issuance of permit for wind energy facilities or expansions for facilities that have received a written "Determination of No Hazard to Air Navigation" by the Federal Aviation Administration on or before May 17, 2013, or if the applicant can show that a completed application was submitted on or before January 1, 2017.

    Directs the General Assembly's funds to complete a study of the extent and scope of military operations in the state to create maps and other data and documentation to communicate the temporal and spatial use of land-, air-, and water-based military operations by June 30, 2019. Directs the Legislative Services Officer to issue a request for proposals related to the study by December 31, 2017, and to award contracts by June 30, 2018. Instructs the selected contractors to consult with specified military personnel.

    Appropriates $50,000 for 2016-17 from the General Assembly's funds for the purpose of funding the study described above, to be used through the 2017-18 fiscal year or until the money is spent, whichever is first.