LAKE MICHIGAN-PERMIT/LEASE

Amends the Lake Michigan Wind Energy Act. Provides that the Offshore Wind Energy Economic Development Policy Task Force shall report its findings to the Governor and General Assembly within 12 months of convening. Provides that the Department of Natural Resources shall adopt rules by which it may grant in the name of the State of Illinois permits and site leases with respect to public trust lands of Lake Michigan for the assessment of sites for offshore wind energy development. Provides that if the Department receives an application for such a site assessment permit and lease in advance of the adoption of such rules, the Department may grant such permit and lease, and in considering such application shall take into account the general principles set forth in the Act as well as existing environmental, marine, public infrastructure, transportation, and security uses and factors. Provides that in advance of rulemaking specific to the Act no site for which an assessment permit or lease is granted shall be within 3 miles of the shore of Lake Michigan, nor shall it include known breeding grounds or habitat of any avian species considered threatened or endangered under federal or State law. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 20 ILCS 896/25 Provides that the Governor shall appoint within 90 days of the effective date of the amendatory Act, members to serve on the Offshore Wind Energy Economic Development Policy Task Force. Deletes language that provides that the Department of Natural Resources shall adopt rules by which it may grant in the name of the State of Illinois permits and site leases with respect to public trust lands of Lake Michigan for the assessment of sites for offshore wind energy development. Deletes language that provides that if the Department receives an application for such a site assessment permit and lease in advance of the adoption of such rules, the Department may grant such permit and lease, and in considering such application shall take into account the general principles set forth in the Act as well as existing environmental, marine, public infrastructure, transportation, and security uses and factors. Deletes language that provides that in advance of rulemaking specific to the Act no site for which an assessment permit or lease is granted shall be within 3 miles of the shore of Lake Michigan, nor shall it include known breeding grounds or habitat of any avian species considered threatened or endangered under federal or State law. Effective immediately.