SB3920: WIND/SOLAR FACILITY REGULATION

Legislative Summary

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that a commercial wind energy facility owner or a commercial solar energy facility owner who has submitted an application for a permit to develop a commercial wind energy facility or a commercial solar energy facility must provide notice to all municipalities and townships that are within 1.5 miles of the proposed facility and all property owners whose properties are on the boundary line of the proposed facility. Includes requirements of the notice. Provides that a county may require that a commercial solar energy facility be sited at least 500 feet from the nearest point on the property line of occupied community buildings and dwellings on nonparticipating properties. Requires a commercial wind energy facility or a commercial solar energy facility to be sited only on property zoned for agricultural use or on a brownfields site, and provides that the facilities may not be sited on property zoned exclusively for residential use or zoned exclusively for estate use. Excludes counties with a population of more than 500,000 from the changes made by Public Act 102-1123. Effective immediately.