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House approves bill allowing radar-activated light mitigation on wind turbines
Summary
The House passed House Bill 146 to allow wind turbine red-light mitigation systems that switch lights on only when air traffic is present, subject to Federal Aviation Administration approval; supporters said technology is in use in other states and reduces nighttime nuisance lighting.
The Idaho House on Feb. 26 passed House Bill 146, a measure intended to allow “light mitigation technology” for wind turbines so obstruction lighting remains off except when radar detects aircraft.
A sponsor described the technology as “the same radar that the Navy system uses” to trigger red lights only when an aircraft is present. The sponsor said the approach is in use in 10 other states and requires Federal Aviation Administration approval because it involves air traffic safety.
Why it matters: Supporters said the technology addresses complaints from residents about flashing red lights shining into homes at night while preserving aviation safety because the system activates lights for aircraft. The sponsor asked the chamber for a vote “to put a stop to the red lights,” referring to nuisance nighttime illumination.
Vote: The House approved House Bill 146; the clerk recorded the roll and the presiding officer declared the bill passed by the House. (Floor transcript recorded the final roll as the majority voting in favor; the clerk announced the bill “pass house, correction title.”)
Implementation and limits: The bill, as described on the floor, includes a timeline for newly installed turbines and a longer timeline for existing turbines, and explicitly requires FAA approval for any mitigation system. Other technical details were not specified on the floor.
Next steps: House Bill 146 was transmitted to the Senate. The floor record shows the bill cleared the chamber; further rulemaking, FAA coordination and any local permitting changes would be completed after legislative passage.
