Establishes the New York state task force on wind generating facilities siting and permitting policies to study the need to implement a uniform statewide policy regarding the siting and permitting of wind energy production facilities.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
785--A
2009-2010 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 15, 2009
___________
Introduced by Sen. ALESI -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
printed to be committed to the Committee on Energy and Telecommuni-
cations -- recommitted to the Committee on Energy and Telecommuni-
cations in accordance with Senate Rule 6, sec. 8 -- committee
discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted
to said committee
AN ACT in relation to establishing the New York state task force on wind
generating facilities siting and permitting policies
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The New York state task force on wind generating facilities
2 siting and permitting policy is hereby established. 1. The role of such
3 task force shall include, but not be limited to:
4 (a) analyzing the variety of current local processes for siting wind
5 energy production facilities;
6 (b) considering establishing a standardized formula for the siting of
7 wind energy generating facilities to use the following factors:
8 (i) proximity to residential areas;
9 (ii) availability of natural resources;
10 (iii) economic impact on the local community;
11 (iv) visual, audible and atmospheric impacts; and
12 (v) impact on adjacent communities;
13 (c) investigating the possibility of a uniform permitting procedure
14 for the siting of wind energy generating facilities;
15 (d) studying the feasibility of establishing a statewide list of prop-
16 erties which are appropriate for wind energy generating facilities and
17 the siting of such a facility would have no impact on residential or
18 neighboring communities; and
19 (e) preparing and submitting a report to the governor and the legisla-
20 ture that provides specific recommendations including, but not limited
21 to, the existing local laws on the siting of wind energy generating
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03471-02-0
S. 785--A 2
1 facilities; the necessity of a statewide policy on wind energy generat-
2 ing facilities and the possible structure of a statewide policy on wind
3 energy generating facilities.
4 2. The task force shall issue such report by December 31, 2010.
5 § 2. (a) The New York state task force on wind generating facilities
6 siting and permitting policy shall study the need for a uniform state-
7 wide policy regarding the siting and permitting of wind energy generat-
8 ing facilities.
9 (b) Such task force shall consist of fifteen members including: the
10 commissioners of agriculture and markets, economic development, environ-
11 mental conservation and health, the chairperson of the public service
12 commission and the chairperson of the New York state energy research and
13 development authority, or a designee of any such officers. The remaining
14 nine at-large members shall be appointed as follows: three members shall
15 be appointed by the governor, one of whom shall be an officer, employee
16 or representative of a utility company, one of whom shall be a member,
17 officer or employee of a statewide association representing and advocat-
18 ing for the interests of local governments, one of whom shall be a
19 representative of a public interest group; two members shall be
20 appointed by the temporary president of the senate, one of whom shall be
21 a member, officer or employee of a statewide association representing
22 the interest of farmers; one member shall be appointed by the minority
23 leader of the senate; two members shall be appointed by the speaker of
24 the assembly, one of whom shall be a member, officer or employee of a
25 statewide organization advocating on behalf of the environment; and one
26 member shall be appointed by the minority leader of the assembly.
27 § 3. The chairperson of the New York state energy research and devel-
28 opment authority shall be the chairperson of the task force.
29 § 4. The members of the task force shall serve without actual compen-
30 sation, except the at-large members shall be allowed their necessary and
31 actual expenses incurred in the performance of their duties under this
32 act.
33 § 5. The task force shall expire December 31, 2010.
34 § 6. The New York state energy research and development authority
35 shall provide the task force with such facilities, assistance, and data
36 as will enable the task force to carry out its powers and duties. Addi-
37 tionally, all other departments or agencies of the state or subdivisions
38 thereof shall at the request of the chairperson, provide the task force
39 with such facilities, assistance and data as will enable the task force
40 to carry out its powers and duties.
41 § 7. This act shall take effect immediately.
