87R11008 SGM-D
 
  By: Springer S.B. No. 1003
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to siting requirements for the construction of a wind
  turbine.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Title 6, Utilities Code, is amended by adding
  Chapter 302 to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 302. WIND TURBINE SITING
         Sec. 302.0001.  SITING. (a) A person may not construct at a
  site a wind turbine for electric generation unless the site
  complies with the minimum setback requirements provided by this
  section.
         (b)  The minimum setback for a wind turbine is the greater
  of:
               (1)  a distance equal to 10 times the maximum blade tip
  height of the proposed turbine, measured from the closest structure
  on each property that borders the property on which the site is
  located; or
               (2)  5,280 feet, measured from the property line of
  each property that borders the property on which the site is
  located.
         (c)  The setback distances described by Subsection (b) must
  be measured as a straight line from the vertical centerline of the
  proposed wind turbine to the nearest point on the permanent
  foundation of a structure or the nearest point on the property line,
  as applicable.
         (d)  This section does not create an offense.
         Sec. 302.0002.  SITING WAIVER. (a) A person may begin
  construction of a wind turbine at a site that does not comply with
  the requirements of Section 302.0001 if the person obtains a
  signed, written waiver from the owner of the property that is the
  source of the noncompliance.
         (b)  A waiver may not be made effective for a period of more
  than one year after the date the owner signs the waiver. A waiver
  may be retroactive for any period of time.
         Sec. 302.0003.  INJUNCTION. (a) A county or district court
  by injunction may prevent, restrain, abate, or otherwise remedy a
  violation of this chapter.
         (b)  Except as provided by Subsection (c), a person affected
  or who may be affected by a violation or threatened violation of
  this chapter may bring suit under Subsection (a).
         (c)  A person may not bring suit under Subsection (a) if the
  sole alleged violation relates to a structure on an adjacent
  property as described by Section 302.0001(b)(1) that was
  constructed less than one year before the date the wind turbine
  construction is proposed to begin.
         SECTION 2.  Chapter 302, Utilities Code, as added by this
  Act, applies only to a wind turbine the construction of which begins
  on or after the effective date of this Act. Construction of a wind
  turbine that began before the effective date of this Act is governed
  by the law as it existed immediately before the effective date of
  this Act, and the former law is continued in effect for that
  purpose.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.