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2011 SESSION

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11102032D
SENATE BILL NO. 862 Offered January 12, 2011 Prefiled January 10, 2011 A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 1 of Title 67 a section numbered 67-103, relating to the Commonwealth Energy Policy; local renewable energy facility siting ordinances. ---------- Patron-- Wagner ---------- Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor ----------

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Chapter 1 of Title 67 a section numbered 67-103 as follows:

§ 67-103. Role of local governments in achieving objectives of the Commonwealth Energy Policy.

Every locality in the Commonwealth shall adopt, by July 1, 2012, a renewable energy facility siting ordinance that:

1. Is consistent with the Commonwealth Energy Policy set forth in § 67-102;

2. Provides reasonable criteria to be addressed in the siting of renewable energy projects. The criteria shall provide for protection of the locality in a manner consistent with the goals of the Commonwealth to promote the generation of energy from renewable resources; and

3. Includes provisions establishing reasonable requirements limiting noise, requiring buffer areas and setbacks, protecting viewsheds, limiting shadow flicker, and addressing generation facility decommissioning.

Any construction practices or environmental protection measures required by a renewable energy siting ordinance shall be consistent with the locality's existing ordinances.