FISCAL NOTE
Date Requested: January 12, 2024
Time Requested: 02:30 PM |
| Agency: |
Natural Resources, WV Division of |
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| CBD Number: |
Version: |
Bill Number: |
Resolution Number: |
| 1253 |
Introduced |
SB281 |
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| CBD Subject: |
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FUND(S):
3200, 8707
Sources of Revenue:
Special Fund
Legislation creates:
Increases Revenue From Existing Sources
Fiscal Note Summary
Effect this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.
The purpose of this legislation is to allow the Director of the Division of Natural Resources to assess a Wildlife Impact Fee on any operator of a wind power project that injures or kills a protected species of animal. By law all wildlife is protected for the use and enjoyment of all the citizens of West Virginia. When wildlife is killed, the DNR is compensated $100 per animal as pursuant to the wildlife replacement provisions in West Virginia Code ยง20-2-5a.
Given a strike event (i.e., multiple animals killed by turbines and investigated by biologists) is reported by the operator of a wind power project, the DNR estimates that each investigation and assessment will cost the DNR no less than $446 per investigation. Based on an average of 5 reported strike events in West Virginia each year, an estimated $2,230 will be spent by the DNR investigating these strike events.
While the total assessment of wildlife compensation by turbines must be determined on a case-by-case basis, studies on turbine mortality can provide a baseline value for compensation. There are 376 active turbines in West Virginia.
On average, 6.86 birds and 1.2 bats are killed per turbine each year. With the established replacement cost of $100 per animal, the DNR expects to receive $303,056 in compensation for mortality caused by turbines with a net replacement for loss of wildlife of $ 300,825 ($300,056 - $2,230).
Fiscal Note Detail
| Effect of Proposal |
Fiscal Year |
2024
Increase/Decrease
(use"-") |
2025
Increase/Decrease
(use"-") |
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation) |
| 1. Estmated Total Cost |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Personal Services |
0 |
2,230 |
2,230 |
| Current Expenses |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Repairs and Alterations |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Assets |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Other |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 2. Estimated Total Revenues |
0 |
303,056 |
303,056 |
Explanation of above estimates (including long-range effect):
Hourly rate for Diversity Biologist = $21.14
(Source: DNR Supervisor for Wildlife Diversity average 2023)
Fringe Rate = 31.90%
Total Rate for Biological Investigation ($22.40 + 31.90%) = $27.88
Biologist to investigate strike event = 2
Hours charged for investigation = 16
Est. Cost for investigation including fringe (16 X 29.71) = $446
Average number of investigations per year = 5
Estimated costs of investigations = $2,230
Est. Bird killed per turbine per year = 6.86
https://www.fws.gov/birds/bird-enthusiasts/threats-to-birds/collisions/wind-turbines.php
Est. Bats killed per turbine per year = 1.2
(Thaxter et al. 2017)
Number of active turbines in West Virginia = 376
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wind_power_in_West_Virginia
Replacement costs per animal = $100
Est Bird replacement cost per year (6.86 X 376 X $1000 = $257,936
Est. Bat replacement cost per year (1.2 X 376 X $100) = $45,120
Total Est replacement cost ($257,937 + $45,120) = $303,056
Memorandum
For additional information concerning this fiscal note, please contact:
Zack Brown
304-352-5126
zack.j.brown@wv.gov
Person submitting Fiscal Note: Amanda Morris
Email Address: amanda.l.morris@wv.gov