House Committee To Review Beitzel's Wind Turbine Bills

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House Committee To Review Beitzel's Wind Turbine Bills

Mar. 11, 2010

The House Economic Matters Committee will hear three separate proposals sponsored by Del. Wendell Beitzel next Tuesday, March 16 – House Bills 390, 791, and 1013.
HB 390 would give the Garrett County commissioners the authority to enact ordinances regarding commercial grade wind turbines. Specifically, the measure would authorize the commissioners to enact ordinances regarding setbacks and the decommissioning of wind turbines.

This bill has been supported by the Garrett County commissioners and the Garrett County Board of Realtors, Beitzel noted.

"This measure was brought to Sen. George Edwards and me as a request from the Garrett County commissioners during a pre-legislative meeting to set minimal standards for wind turbine development in Garrett County," Beitzel said.

HB 791 and 1013 would be statewide in scope. HB 791 would require the Public Service Commission and the Department of Natural Resources to jointly develop performance standards regarding wind-powered electric generating turbines erected in the state.

HB 1013 would require a surcharge, bond, or other security for the removal of wind-powered electric generating facilities in the event that they outlive their usefulness.

"These measures provide some much needed regulatory controls for wind turbine projects with capacity of less than 70 megawatts that have been exempted from the need to obtain a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity since the passage of Senate Bill 566 in 2007," Beitzel added.

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