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
Could significantly limit where wind farms can be built in New York, especially in regions near military installations, potentially reducing available land for renewable energy projects.
May have national security implications by aiming to prevent any possible interference between wind turbines and military flight operations, radar, or training activities.
Could create friction between state renewable energy goals and federal military priorities, forcing policymakers to balance clean energy expansion with defense readiness.
Might set a precedent for other states, influencing how local, state, and federal interests are weighed in siting decisions for large-scale energy infrastructure.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Limit Wind Farms Near Bases
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to energy and telecommunications
- 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.
Limit 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
198
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 9, 2019
Introduced by Sen. ORTT -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Energy and Telecommunications
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.
LBD02489-01-9
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 Depart- ment of Defense which is in active use. This section also covers air traffic control radar sites, weather radar sites, or aircraft navi- gations 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
S. 1755 of 2017/2018; advanced to third reading.
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.