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Senate approves bill allowing selective nighttime dimming of wind-turbine lights pending FAA approval
Summary
The Senate passed House Bill 23 75 A, allowing wind projects to use technology to limit nighttime lighting when approved by the Federal Aviation Administration, a move supporters said will reduce visual impact for rural residents.
The Oregon Senate approved House Bill 23 75 A, a measure permitting wind-energy facilities to use technology that limits or blanks nighttime aviation obstruction lighting when such lighting is approved by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Senator Robinson, who carried the measure on the floor, described public complaints about the visual impact of wind turbines and said technology now exists to allow lights to remain off when aircraft are not nearby and to activate when an aircraft approaches. Robinson said the FAA retains approval authority: "There is a provision in the bill that the FAA will approve it, so that they're responsible for airplane traffic."
The senator estimated the cost of the lighting-control system at roughly $1 million to $1.5 million for a large wind project, saying that the FAA could reject an application for dimming if safety concerns remain. Supporters characterized the bill as a modest step to reduce nighttime blinking lights in rural landscapes while maintaining aviation safety.
On a roll call the bill received the constitutional majority required and was declared passed. The measure leaves FAA authority in place and depends on federal aviation approval before lights may be disabled or dimmed for nighttime operations.
