PSC 128.19(3)(a)(a) The owner of a wind energy system with a nameplate capacity of one megawatt or larger shall maintain proof of the owner’s ability to fund the actual and necessary cost to decommission the wind energy system and shall ensure the availability of funds necessary for decommissioning throughout the expected life of the wind energy system and through to completion of the decommissioning activities. PSC 128.19(3)(b)(b) A political subdivision may require an owner of a wind energy system with a nameplate capacity of one megawatt or larger to provide financial assurance of the owner’s ability to pay for the actual and necessary cost to decommission the wind energy system before commencing major civil construction activities such as blasting or foundation construction at the wind energy system site. An owner may comply with this paragraph by choosing to provide a bond, deposit, escrow account, irrevocable letter of credit, or some combination of these financial assurances, that will ensure the availability of funds necessary for decommissioning throughout the expected life of the wind energy system and through to completion of the decommissioning activities. PSC 128.19(3)(c)(c) A political subdivision may require an owner to provide the financial assurance under par. (b) in an amount up to the estimated actual and necessary cost to decommission the wind energy system. If a political subdivision requires an owner to provide financial assurance under par. (b), the political subdivision may do any of the following: PSC 128.19(3)(c)1.1. Require the owner to provide the political subdivision with up to 3 cost estimates of the actual and necessary cost to decommission the wind energy system that are prepared by third parties agreeable to the owner and the political subdivision. PSC 128.19(3)(c)3.3. Require an owner to establish financial assurance that places the political subdivision in a secured position, and that any secured funds may only be used for decommissioning the wind energy system until either the political subdivision determines that the wind energy system has been decommissioned under sub. (5) (b), or until the political subdivision has otherwise approved the release of the secured funds, whichever is earlier. PSC 128.19(3)(c)4.4. Require an owner to establish financial assurance that allows the political subdivision to access funds for the purpose of decommissioning the wind energy system if the owner does not decommission the wind energy system when decommissioning is required. PSC 128.19(3)(d)(d) If a political subdivision requires an owner to provide cost estimates under par. (c) 1., a political subdivision may not require the amount of the financial assurance to exceed the average of the cost estimates provided. PSC 128.19(3)(e)(e) A political subdivision may condition its approval of a wind energy system on the owner’s compliance with pars. (b) and (c). PSC 128.19(3)(f)(f) During the useful life of a wind energy system, the political subdivision may periodically request information from the owner regarding the industry costs for decommissioning the wind energy system. If a political subdivision finds that the future anticipated cost to decommission the wind energy system is at least 10 percent more or less than the amount of financial assurance previously provided under par. (b), the political subdivision may correspondingly increase or decrease the amount of financial assurance required for the wind energy system. A political subdivision may not adjust the financial assurance under this paragraph more often than once in a 5-year period. PSC 128.19(3)(g)(g) A political subdivision may require an owner to submit to the political subdivision a substitute financial assurance of the owner’s choosing under par. (b) if an event occurs that raises material concerns regarding the viability of the existing financial assurance. PSC 128.19(4)(a)(a) Except as provided in par. (b), if a wind energy system was constructed on land owned by a person other than the owner of the wind energy system, the owner of the wind energy system shall ensure that the property is restored to preconstruction condition, unless otherwise provided in a contract signed by an affected landowner, considering any modifications needed to comply with DNR requirements. PSC 128.19(4)(b)(b) If a wind energy system was constructed on a brownfield, as defined in s. 238.13 (1) (a), Stats., the owner shall restore the property to eliminate effects caused by the wind energy system, except for the effects of environmental remediation activities, as defined in s. 238.13 (1) (d), Stats. PSC 128.19(5)(a)(a) An owner shall file a notice of decommissioning completion with the political subdivision and the commission when a wind energy system approved by the political subdivision has been decommissioned and removed. PSC 128.19(5)(b)(b) Within 360 days of receiving a notice of decommissioning, a political subdivision shall determine whether the owner has satisfied the requirements of subs. (1) (a) and (4). PSC 128.19 HistoryHistory: CR 10-057: cr. Register February 2011 No. 662, eff. 3-1-11; correction in (4) (b) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register December 2012 No. 684. PSC 128.30PSC 128.30 Application and notice requirements. PSC 128.30(1)(1) Application required. An owner shall file an application to construct a wind energy system with all political subdivisions with jurisdiction over the wind energy system. PSC 128.30(2)(2) Contents of an application. An owner shall complete and file with the political subdivision an application that includes all of the following: PSC 128.30(2)(a)(a) Wind energy system description and maps showing the locations of all proposed wind energy facilities. PSC 128.30(2)(b)(b) Technical description of wind turbines and wind turbine sites. PSC 128.30(2)(c)(c) Timeline and process for constructing the wind energy system. PSC 128.30(2)(d)(d) Information regarding anticipated impact of the wind energy system on local infrastructure. PSC 128.30(2)(e)(e) Information regarding noise anticipated to be attributable to the wind energy system. PSC 128.30(2)(f)(f) Information regarding shadow flicker anticipated to be attributable to the wind energy system. PSC 128.30(2)(g)(g) Information regarding the anticipated effects of the wind energy system on existing land uses within 0.5 mile of the wind energy system. PSC 128.30(2)(h)(h) Information regarding the anticipated effects of the wind energy system on airports and airspace. PSC 128.30(2)(i)(i) Information regarding the anticipated effects of the wind energy system on line-of-sight communications. PSC 128.30(2)(j)(j) A list of all state and federal permits required to construct and operate the wind energy system. PSC 128.30(2)(k)(k) Information regarding the planned use and modification of roads within the political subdivision during the construction, operation, and decommissioning of the wind energy system, including a process for assessing road damage caused by wind energy system activities and for conducting road repairs at the owner’s expense. PSC 128.30(2)(L)(L) A copy of all emergency plans developed in collaboration with appropriate first responders under s. PSC 128.18 (4) (b). An owner may file plans using confidential filing procedures as necessary. PSC 128.30(2)(m)(m) A decommissioning and site restoration plan providing reasonable assurances that the owner will be able to comply with s. PSC 128.19. PSC 128.30(2)(p)(p) Any other information necessary to understand the construction, operation or decommissioning of the proposed wind energy system. PSC 128.30(3)(3) Accuracy of information. The owner shall ensure that information contained in an application is accurate. PSC 128.30(4)(4) Duplicate copies. A political subdivision may specify a reasonable number of copies to be filed. Each copy shall include all worksheets, maps, and other attachments included in the application. A political subdivision may permit an owner to file an application electronically. PSC 128.30(5)(a)(a) On the same day an owner files an application for a wind energy system, the owner shall, under s. 66.0401 (4) (a) 3., Stats., use commercially reasonable methods to provide written notice of the filing of the application to property owners and residents located within one mile of the proposed location of any wind energy system facility. The notification shall include all of the following: PSC 128.30(5)(a)1.1. A complete description of the wind energy system, including the number and size of the wind turbines. PSC 128.30(5)(a)2.2. A map showing the locations of all proposed wind energy system facilities. PSC 128.30(5)(a)3.3. The proposed timeline for construction and operation of the wind energy system. PSC 128.30(5)(b)(b) After a political subdivision receives an application for a wind energy system, the notice required to be published by the political subdivision under s. 66.0401 (4) (a) 1., Stats., shall include a brief description of the proposed wind energy system and its proposed location, the locations where the application is available for public review, the method and time period for the submission of public comments to the political subdivision, and the approximate schedule for review of the application by the political subdivision. PSC 128.30(6)(a)(a) A political subdivision shall make an application for a wind energy system available for public review at a local library and at the political subdivision’s business office or some other publicly-accessible location. A political subdivision may also provide public access to the application electronically. PSC 128.30(6)(b)(b) A political subdivision shall establish a process for accepting and considering written public comments on an application for a wind energy system. PSC 128.30(6)(c)(c) A political subdivision shall hold at least one public meeting to obtain comments on and to inform the public about a proposed wind energy system. PSC 128.30(7)(a)(a) If the wind energy system is proposed to be located in more than one political subdivision with jurisdiction over the wind energy system, the political subdivisions involved may conduct a joint application review process on their own motion or upon request. If an owner requests a joint application review, the owner shall include the request in its notice of intent to file an application with the political subdivision under s. PSC 128.105 (1). If the owner requests a joint application review process, the political subdivisions involved shall approve or deny this request within 60 days of receipt of the owner’s notice of intent to file an application. PSC 128.30(7)(b)(b) Except as provided in s. 66.0401 (4) (a) 2., Stats., if political subdivisions elect to conduct a joint application review process, the process shall be consistent with this chapter and the political subdivisions shall establish the process within 90 days of the date the political subdivisions receive the owner’s notice of intent to file an application. A political subdivision may follow the review process of another political subdivision for purposes of conducting a joint application review process concurrently with the other political subdivision. If a joint application review process is adopted, the owner shall file the joint-review process application with all of the political subdivisions participating in the joint review process. PSC 128.30 HistoryHistory: CR 10-057: cr. Register February 2011 No. 662, eff. 3-1-11. PSC 128.31(1)(b)(b) The political subdivision shall determine the completeness of an application, and shall notify the owner in writing of the completeness determination, no later than 45 days after the day the application is filed. An application is considered filed the day the owner notifies the political subdivision in writing that all the application materials have been filed. If a political subdivision determines that the application is incomplete, the notice provided to the owner shall state the reasons for the determination. PSC 128.31(1)(c)(c) An owner may file a supplement to an application that the political subdivision has determined to be incomplete. There is no limit to the number of times that an owner may re-file an application. For incomplete applications, the owner shall provide additional information as specified in the notice under par. (b). PSC 128.31(1)(d)(d) An additional 45-day completeness review period shall begin the day after the political subdivision receives responses to all items identified in the notice under par. (b). PSC 128.31(1)(e)(e) If a political subdivision does not make a completeness determination within the applicable review period, the application is considered to be complete. PSC 128.31(2)(2) Requests for additional information. A political subdivision may request additional information necessary to understand the wind energy system after determining that an application is complete. An owner shall provide additional information in response to all reasonable requests. An owner shall respond to all inquiries made subsequent to a determination of completeness in a timely, complete, and accurate manner. PSC 128.31 HistoryHistory: CR 10-057: cr. Register February 2011 No. 662, eff. 3-1-11. PSC 128.32PSC 128.32 Political subdivision review of a wind energy system. PSC 128.32(1)(1) Approval by political subdivision. Except as provided in s. PSC 128.02 (1), a political subdivision may require an owner to obtain approval from the political subdivision before constructing any of the following: PSC 128.32(1)(b)(b) An expansion of an existing or previously-approved wind energy system. PSC 128.32(2)(a)(a) A political subdivision may not unreasonably deny an application for a wind energy system or impose unreasonable conditions. PSC 128.32(2)(b)1.1. The political subdivision does not enact an ordinance before the first day of the 4th month after the political subdivision receives the application. PSC 128.32(3)(a)(a) A political subdivision shall issue a written decision to grant or deny an application for a wind energy system. The written decision shall include findings of fact supported by evidence in the record. If an application is denied, the decision shall specify the reason for the denial. A political subdivision may make its approval subject to the conditions in s. PSC 128.33. PSC 128.32(3)(b)1.1. A political subdivision shall provide its written decision to the owner and to the commission. If a political subdivision approves an application for a wind energy system, the political subdivision shall provide the owner with a duplicate original of the decision. PSC 128.32(3)(b)2.2. The owner shall record the duplicate original of a decision approving an application with the register of deeds for the county in which the wind energy system is located. PSC 128.32(4)(4) Effect of ownership change on approval. Approval by a political subdivision of a wind energy system remains in effect if there is a change in the owner of the wind energy system. A political subdivision may require an owner to provide timely notice of any change in the owner of the wind energy system. PSC 128.32(5)(a)(a) A political subdivision may charge an owner a reasonable application fee or require an owner to reimburse the political subdivision for reasonable expenses relating to the review and processing of an application for a wind energy system. PSC 128.32(5)(b)(b) A political subdivision’s fee or reimbursement requirement under par. (a) shall be based on the actual and necessary cost of the review of the wind energy system application, and may include the cost of services necessary to review an application that are provided by outside engineers, attorneys, planners, environmental specialists, and other consultants or experts. The political subdivision may by ordinance set standardized application fees based on the size and complexity of a proposed wind energy system. PSC 128.32(5)(c)(c) A political subdivision may require an owner of a wind energy system to submit up to 50 percent of the total estimated amount of the fee or reimbursement for the wind energy system application under par. (a) before issuing a written decision under sub. (3) (a), if the political subdivision gives written notice to the owner of its intent to do so within 10 days of the date the application is deemed complete and the notice contains an estimate of the amount of the fee and the relevant reimbursement requirements. PSC 128.32(5)(d)(d) A political subdivision may not charge an owner an annual fee or other recurring fees to operate or maintain a wind energy system. PSC 128.32 NoteNote: See also s. 66.0628 (2), Stats., which requires any fee imposed by a political subdivision to bear a reasonable relationship to the service for which the fee is imposed. PSC 128.32 HistoryHistory: CR 10-057: cr. Register February 2011 No. 662, eff. 3-1-11. PSC 128.33PSC 128.33 Political subdivision permitted provisions. A political subdivision may do any of the following in an ordinance or establish any of the following as a condition for approval of an application to construct a wind energy system: PSC 128.33(1)(1) Information. Require information about whether an owner has consulted with and received any non-binding recommendations for constructing, operating or decommissioning the wind energy system from a state or federal agency, and whether the owner has incorporated such non-binding recommendations into the design of the wind energy system. PSC 128.33(2)(2) Studies. Require an owner to cooperate with any study of the effects of wind energy systems coordinated by a state agency. PSC 128.33(3)(3) Monetary compensation. Require an owner of a wind energy system to offer an agreement that includes annual monetary compensation to the owner of a nonparticipating residence, if the residence is located within 0.5 mile of a constructed wind turbine. For one turbine located within 0.5 mile of a nonparticipating residence, the initial annual monetary compensation may not exceed $600. For two turbines located within 0.5 mile of a nonparticipating residence, the initial annual monetary compensation may not exceed $800. For three or more turbines located within 0.5 mile of a nonparticipating residence, the initial annual monetary compensation may not exceed $1,000. The initial annual monetary compensation under this subsection shall apply to agreements entered into in 2011. For agreements entered into in 2012 and thereafter, the initial annual amounts shall increase each year by the greater of two percent or the increase in the Consumer Price Index, as described in s. 196.374 (5) (bm) 2. b., Stats., from the previous year. An agreement offered under this subsection shall specify in writing any waiver of a requirement or right under this chapter and whether the landowner’s acceptance of payment establishes the landowner’s property as a participating property under this chapter.
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