HF 159 (LSB 1953HH (2) 88)

HOUSE FILE 159

BY  SHIPLEY

A BILL FOR

An Act providing for the regulation of wind energy conversion facility installations by counties.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 331.301, Code 2019, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  18.  Notwithstanding section 476A.6, the board of supervisors may establish standards and requirements regarding the installation or siting of wind energy conversion facilities and shall make the final determination regarding the installation or siting of any such facility. For purposes of this subsection, “wind energy conversion facility” means the same as defined in section 476C.1. 
    Sec. 2.  Section 476A.5, Code 2019, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  4.  Notwithstanding section 476A.6 and any other provision in this subchapter to the contrary, the board of supervisors of a county may establish standards and requirements regarding the installation or siting of wind energy conversion facilities located within the jurisdiction of the county and shall make the final determination regarding the installation or siting of any such facility pursuant to section 331.301, subsection 18. For purposes of this subsection, “wind energy conversion facility” means the same as defined in section 476C.1.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   Current law requires the Iowa utilities board to regulate the installation of electric power generating facilities in the state with a total capacity of 25 megawatts of electricity or more, including wind energy conversion facilities. A person shall not construct such a facility unless issued a certificate by the board.
   This bill allows the board of supervisors of a county to establish standards and requirements regarding the installation or siting of wind energy conversion facilities within the jurisdiction of the county and provides that the board of supervisors shall make the final determination regarding the installation or siting of any such facility. The bill defines “wind energy conversion facility” to mean a wind energy conversion system in Iowa that collects and converts wind into energy to generate electricity.