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House committee advances wind setback bill after mixed testimony on safety and local control
Summary
HB 939 would set a 500‑foot maximum turbine height and require a 1,500‑foot setback from occupied residences unless the landowner agrees; it also contains a de‑icing rotor‑speed provision. Sponsors call it a compromise for siting certainty; renewable groups urged evidence‑based standards and local control.
Representative Katie Zolnikov introduced HB 939 as a wind‑siting measure that sets a 500‑foot maximum turbine tower height and a 1,500‑foot default setback from occupied residences unless the property owner agrees to a different distance. The bill also includes a de‑icing provision limiting rotor speed during de‑icing to 10% of a turbine’s maximum rotor speed within a 2,500‑foot radius in a specified process, and a $100 filing fee and micro‑siting map requirement for DEQ.
Sponsor Zolnikov said the bill responded to local outreach failures by a developer and was intended as a compromise that protects neighbors while remaining feasible for developers; she said landowners who sign energy agreements can approve a closer setback for turbines on their land.
Renewable Northwest (Bruce Spencer) and the Montana Renewable Energy Association (Makenna Sellers) opposed the bill in its current form, arguing the setback and de‑icing numbers did not appear to be evidence‑based, would preempt local control, and that some map and filing timelines (micro‑site maps within 30 days) are unrealistic. Renewable Northwest noted there is no record of a member of the public being struck by ice from a turbine in the U.S., and questioned the technical basis for the de‑icing speed number.
Puget Sound Energy said it was still reviewing the draft for technical impacts and would work with the sponsor. The Montana Environmental Information Center offered “soft opposition” while urging the bill move forward so it can be improved in later committees.
Committee members asked about whether the bill bans turbines above 500 feet outright (the sponsor said the intention is to set 500 feet as the maximum tower height) and about applicability to all projects under the referenced wind energy agreement statute. The sponsor said she would continue to work with stakeholders and expected the Senate energy committee chair (same surname) would help refine the bill.
On executive action the committee voted to pass HB 939 to the House floor. The roll call on committee passage was recorded as 13 ayes and 1 no.
