Counties could approve districts to ban construction of wind facilities

County commissioners could approve a zoning district aimed at banning wind facility construction with petitions from 55% of affected property owners. Districts would need at least 40 acres and could not include areas already zoned by an incorporated city. Commissioners could approve a district when the public interest or convenience calls for it; a petition would not guarantee approval. Commissioners would need draft district rules before checking petition support. The final rules would need to be similar to those drafts. Challenges to district creation would need to begin within six months of the county's creation order. The bill called for effect upon passage and approval, but it failed.

Wind facilities would be excepted from the rule that bars local governments with self-government powers from blocking utility connections or reconnections. This would apply to local governments with broad powers over local affairs and wind facilities covered by the referenced state definition. The exception would not require local governments to block connections or reconnections. This provision would take effect upon passage and approval, but the bill failed.