Bill > HB4784

This bill aims to establish setback requirements for the siting of new wind turbines in West Virginia. The key provisions of the bill are: 1. It defines important terms such as "wind energy system," "wind turbine," and "residence." 2. It mandates a minimum setback of 1.1 times the total height of the wind turbine from any non-participating landowner's property line, and a minimum setback of 1.5 times the total height from any non-participating landowner's residence. However, landowners can waive these setback requirements. 3. It also requires a minimum setback of 1.1 times the total height of the wind turbine from paved public roads and overhead transmission lines of 115kV capacity or greater. 4. The bill specifies the methodology for measuring these setback distances as a straight line from the vertical centerline of the wind turbine to the nearest point of the applicable feature (property line, residence, road, or transmission line). The bill aims to balance the development of wind energy systems with the protection of nearby residential properties and infrastructure.