§171-95.3 Renewable energy producers; lease of public lands without public auction. (a) The board may lease or renew a lease of public lands to renewable energy producers, as defined in section 171-95, without public auction only pursuant to a public process that includes public notice under section 1-28.5 providing other interested renewable energy producers opportunity to participate in the process; provided that nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the board from conducting direct negotiations; provided further that the renewable energy producer shall be required to submit as part of the proposal for the board's evaluation, as assisted by the department of business, economic development, and tourism, the following:

(1) A timeline for completion of the project;

(2) A description of a financial plan for project financing;

(3) A description of the conceptual design of the project;

(4) A description of the business concept for the project; and

(5) A description of landscape and acreage requirements including public and private lands.

Upon completion of the board's evaluation and determination to award or not award a lease to a renewable energy producer, the board shall prepare a report outlining the reasons for the decision.

(b) A lease to a renewable energy producer under this section shall not result in the involuntary termination of a lease of public land held by an existing lessee who is currently in compliance with the terms of the lease.

(c) To inform the public prior to the lease of public land or the renewal of a lease of public land for a proposed renewable energy project under this section, the department of land and natural resources shall conduct not less than two public hearings on the island where the public land to be leased for the proposed renewable energy project is located; provided that the notice of the hearing shall be published as provided in section 1-28.5. The board shall prepare and distribute an outline of the proposals for the renewable energy project and receive testimony from interested parties and the general public at each public hearing.

(d) Any action taken by the board upon a proposal subject to this section shall take place on the island where the public land to be leased for the proposed renewable energy project is located.

(e) For any lease issued pursuant to this section, the renewable energy producer shall have the right of first refusal upon renewal of the lease. [L Sp 2009, c 19, §1]