Full Text of SB0244

LRB104 06953 BDA 16990 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
SB0244

Introduced 1/22/2025, by Sen. Sally J. Turner

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Weather Radar Interference Mitigation Act. Provides that, if a National Weather Service Forecast Office issues a winter storm advisory, a winter storm watch, a winter storm warning, a blizzard warning, a severe thunderstorm watch, a severe thunderstorm warning, a tornado watch, or a tornado warning for an area within the State and if a wind turbine operator owns, operates, or manages a wind turbine located within 40 miles of the weather radar station operated by that National Weather Service Forecast Office, then the wind turbine operator shall pause operation of that wind turbine during the inclement weather alert. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2026, no person shall construct a wind turbine within 7 miles of a weather radar station operated by a National Weather Service Forecast Office or a wind turbine with a height that is greater than 60 meters within 10 miles of a weather radar station operated by a National Weather Service Forecast Office. Provides that a wind turbine owner or operator who knowingly violates the Act after receiving a written warning is guilty of a business offense and subject to a fine in excess of $1,000 but not exceeding $5,000. Makes findings. Defines terms. Effective immediately.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning regulation.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Weather Radar Interference Mitigation Act.

Section 5. Findings. The General Assembly finds that wind turbines can interfere with the operation of nearby weather radar stations, creating hazards for communities during weather events.

Section 10. Definitions. In this Act:

"Inclement weather alert" means a winter storm advisory, a winter storm watch, a winter storm warning, a blizzard warning, a severe thunderstorm watch, a severe thunderstorm warning, a tornado watch, or a tornado warning.

"Weather radar station" means a weather station that is operated by the National Weather Service and that uses radar to detect precipitation and its intensity and motion.

"Wind turbine" means a tower-mounted device that converts the kinetic energy from the wind into electrical energy. "Wind turbine" includes the tower, nacelle, and blades of a wind turbine.

"Wind turbine operator" means (1) a person or entity with a direct ownership interest in and substantial control of a wind turbine or (2) a person or entity that operates or manages a wind turbine.

Section 15. Operation of wind turbine paused during inclement weather alert.

(a) If a National Weather Service Forecast Office issues an inclement weather alert for an area within the State and if a wind turbine operator owns, operates, or manages a wind turbine located within 40 miles of the weather radar station operated by that National Weather Service Forecast Office, then the wind turbine operator shall pause operation of the wind turbine during the inclement weather alert.

(b) Beginning January 1, 2026, no person shall construct a wind turbine within 7 miles of a weather radar station operated by a National Weather Service Forecast Office or a wind turbine with a height that is greater than 60 meters within 10 miles of a weather radar station operated by a National Weather Service Forecast Office.

Section 20. Penalties. A wind turbine owner or operator who is suspected of violating Section 15 of this Act shall receive a written warning from the State's Attorney of the county where the suspected violation occurred. A wind turbine owner or operator who knowingly violates Section 15 of this Act after receiving any written warning under this Section is guilty of a business offense and subject to a fine in excess of $1,000 but not exceeding $5,000.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.