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Minutes for SB325 - Committee on Local Government
Short Title
Establishing requirements relating to zoning and recordation of wind and solar energy resource easements and leases.
Minutes Content for Tue, Jan 25, 2022
Revisor Jason Long provided a brief overview of SB 325, establishing requirements relating to zoning and recordation of wind and solar energy resource easements and leases. Revisor Jason Long answered questions from the committee regarding rezoning laws and clarifications within the bill.
Senator Mike Thompson testified as a proponent of the bill. Senator Thompson claimed the bill would protect landowners, both with wind turbines and neighboring lands, promote transparency, and that the bill is necessary for public safety. Thompson answered questions from the committee. (Attachment 1)
Debra Cramer, resident of Mound Valley, testified as a proponent of the bill. Cramer shared the concerns of Senator Thompson but also suggested conflicts of interests with promoters of renewable energy and mentioned the case of Zimmerman et al. v. Board of Wabaunsee County Commissioners. (Attachment 2)
Don Lueger, resident of St. Benedict, was the final oral proponent of the bill. Lueger was concerned with the destruction of art and the authenticity of smaller towns by wind farm establishments. Lueger suggested the committee either require minimum setbacks or complete abolition of wind turbines as the process for election recalls are too tedious to be useful to prevent construction of wind farms. (Attachment 3)
The conferees were then asked several questions regarding land values, public safety hazards, airplane glare, transparency of leases, and the process of county public hearings prior to construction of wind or solar farms.
Written-Only Proponent Testimony was submitted by:
Ann Dare, resident of Bourbon County (Attachment 4)
Melissa Warner, resident of Neosho County (Attachment 5)
Shirley Estrada, resident of Neosho County (Attachment 6)
Margaret Stewart, resident of Junction City (Attachment 7)
Beverly Kavouras, resident of McPherson County (Attachment 8)
Bryan Coover, resident of Neosho County (Attachment 9)
Dianne Novak, resident of Marion County (Attachment 10)
Chairwoman McGinn adjourned the meeting at 10:26AM. The next possible meeting is scheduled for January 27, 2022 @ 9:30AM.
