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PC Exhibit E� � O � /1lov. zvt y INFORMATION MEMO Lj�INNESOTA P�anning for Wind Turbines CITIES The location of wind turbines can present land use issues for cities. Learn how to address them under your city's comprehensive planning and zoning authority, including addressing commercial and non- commercial turbines, setbacks and height limits, and effects on wildlife. Links to model wind energy conversion (WEC) ordinance. RELEVANT LINKS: I. Increased use of wind power Wind power is increasingly being harnessed to generate electricity across Minnesota and the country. When wind farms arrived in southwestern Minnesota in the 1990s,they were largely in rural areas and not generally on the municipal horizon.As wind energy has increased in popularity, an interest in smaller-scale turbines has emerged in many communities. As increased focus and resources have been brought to bear on developing and installing renewable energy sources,many cities in Minnesota are considering where wind turbines are allowed if at all under existing land use regulations. Some cities have discovered their zoning ordinances are unintentionally restrictive and have amended them to allow establishment of wind turbines. Others may be concerned about whether to allow them at all. II. Wind Energy Conservation Systems (WECS) The Minnesota Department How a city regulates the location of wind turbines depends on the size of the of Commerce has more information on wind systems. OpeI'1tlOri.Minnesota statute addresses wind energy conversion systems (WECS)by distinguishing between two types—large and small. Minn.Stat.§216F.01,Suba. Large WECS are defined as any combination of WECS with a combined 2 generating capacity of 5,000 kilowatts or more and are subject to a site permit issued by the state Public Utilities Commission. Local government, such as municipalities, are specifically pre-empted from regulating placement of large systems via zoning,building, or land use rules (city and the public can participate in providing input to PUC). Muv�.Stat §216F.01,Suba. Small WECS are defined by statute as any combination of WECS with a combined capacity of less than 5,000 kilowatts. Small systems may be constructed without state permit, and local governments are expressly authorized to establish requirements for their siting and construction. "Small"systems themselves can vary greatly in size and scale.A turbine designed to generate power for a utility with 1,000 kilowatt capacity may be hundreds of feet tall. In contrast,there are considerably smaller turbines designed to generate electricity for a single residence or business. This material is provided as general information and is not a substitute for legal adwce.Consult your attomey for advice conceming specific situations. 145 University Ave.West www.imc.or Saint Paul,MN 55103-2044 (651)281-1200 or(S00)925-1122 �2014 AII Rights Reserved