What's happening
This bill prohibits the approval of wind electric generation facilities within forty miles of active federal military airfields or airbases.
Why it matters
Protects Military Operations. By banning wind facilities near active federal military airfields, the bill aims to prevent potential interference with military flight paths, radar, and training operations, addressing national security and operational safety.
Limits Siting Options for Renewable Energy. The 40-mile restriction could significantly reduce available sites for wind projects in parts of New York, potentially slowing local renewable energy development and impacting state clean energy goals.
Impacts Local Economies. Communities near military installations may lose out on economic benefits (jobs, tax revenue, land leases) that new wind projects could bring, affecting local development opportunities in these areas.
Establishes Clear Siting Criteria. The bill creates a straightforward, non-negotiable rule for project developers and regulators, reducing uncertainty but also removing flexibility to assess individual project impacts on a case-by-case basis.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Limit Wind Turbines Near Bases
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 62
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to energy and telecommunications
- Committed to rules
- Advanced to third reading
- Amended 1755a
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.1350
- Referred to energy and telecommunications
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Block Wind Farms Near Bases
In Assembly Committee · Energy · Sponsor Michael J. Norris
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1755--A Cal. No. 1350
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 10, 2017
Introduced by Sen. ORTT -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Energy and Telecommunications -- reported favorably from said committee, ordered to first and second report, amended on second report, ordered to a third reading, and to be reprinted as amended, retaining its place in the order of third reading
AN ACT to amend the public service law, in relation to location of certain wind electric generation facilities
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 168 of the public service law is amended by adding a new subdivision 3-a to read as follows:
3-a. The board may not grant a certificate for the construction or operation of a wind electric generation facility to be located within forty miles of an airfield or airbase under jurisdiction of any federal military department which is in active use.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06506-02-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the public service law, in relation to location of certain wind electric generation facilities
Purpose or general idea of bill
This legislation would prohibit the construction or operation of a wind generating facility located within forty miles of an airfield or airbase.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 amends Section 168 of the public service law to prohibit the construction or operation of a wind generating facility located within forty miles of an airfield or airbase under jurisdiction of the Department of Defense which is in active use. This section also covers air traffic control radar sites, weather radar sites, or aircraft navigations aids which are owned or operated by the DoD and are permanent land-based structures at a fixed location.
Section 2 is the effective date.
Justification
Wind generating facilities located in close proximity of airfields and airbases pose significant concerns both in the current operation of an airbase, but more importantly the possibility exists that these turbines could seriously imperil these airbases and the operations they take part in now and in the future. When the Federal government undergoes Base Realignment and Closures (BRAC) it is important that these military facilities are not imperiled by encroachments such as wind turbines.
A recent report out of Corpus Christi has shed light onto the negative impact wind turbines have on radar readings and installations in light of this it is critical to take into consideration the proximity these wind turbines have to an airfield or airbase.
Prior legislative history
New Bill.
Fiscal implications
None
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.