BILL NUMBER: S6751

SPONSOR: SANDERS
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the executive law, in relation to the development of
uniform standards for the coloring of wind turbine rotor blades

 
PURPOSE:

To develop uniform standards for the coloring of wind turbine rotor
blades at major renewable energy facilities in order to minimize bird
collisions.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 amends subdivision 3 of section 94-c of the executive law by
adding new paragraph c-1, directing the Office of Renewable Energy
Siting to establish uniform standards for the coloring of wind turbine
rotor blades in order to minimize bird collisions.

              

Section 2 sets the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Birds serve several important functions in our ecosystem. They pollinate
plants and disperse seeds, keep pests in check, and are used as indica-
tors of overall environmental health due to their sensitivity to changes
in habitat. In addition to their ecological importance, birds are appre-
ciated for their beauty; the US Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that
birdwatching tourism of 47 million birders generated $13 billion in
federal, state, and local tax revenue nationwide in 2011.

As New York moves toward meeting the goals set out in the Climate Lead-
ership and Community Protection Act, wind turbines will grow in impor-
tance and ubiquity around the state. The US Fish and Wildlife Service
estimates that up to 500,000 bird deaths per year are attributable to
collisions with wind turbines. Research has demonstrated that coloring
one turbine blade can lower bird collisions by up to 72% compared to
wind turbines with no colored blades. As major renewable energy facili-
ties begin to be sited across the state, it is important that such
large-scale sites that utilize wind turbines take full advantage of
available research to minimize unintended damage to the environment,
including the health of bird populations.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it
shall have become a law; provided, however, that the amendments to
subdivision 3 of section 94-c of the executive law made by section one
of this act shall not affect the expiration of such section and shall be
deemed to expire therewith. Effective immediately, the addition, amend-
ment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implemen-
tation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and
completed on or before such effective date.