Bill > HB1258

This bill amends North Dakota's laws regarding electric energy conversion and transmission facility siting by establishing new rules for how local land use, zoning, and building regulations interact with state-level permitting. Specifically, the bill clarifies that certificates of site compatibility for electric energy conversion facilities cannot supersede local land use regulations, while permits for electric transmission facilities can potentially preempt local regulations under certain conditions. The bill requires the state utility commission to notify local townships, cities, and counties when an electric transmission facility application is filed, giving them 45 days to provide a list of local requirements. The commission will only supersede local regulations if they are found to be unreasonably restrictive, economically impractical, or in direct conflict with state or federal laws. Additionally, applicants must comply with local requirements that are not explicitly preempted by the commission. The bill applies retroactively to January 1, 2025, which means its provisions will be considered in effect for applications filed on or after that date, potentially providing more clarity and structure to the process of siting energy infrastructure in North Dakota.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/bill-overview/bo1258.html