(a) A county board may, by resolution and upon written notice to the Public Utilities Commission, assume responsibility for processing applications for permits required under this chapter for LWECS with a combined nameplate capacity of less than 25,000 kilowatts. The responsibility for permit application processing, if assumed by a county, may be delegated by the county board to an appropriate county officer or employee. Processing by a county shall be done in accordance with procedures and processes established under chapter 394.

(b) A county board that exercises its option under paragraph (a) may issue, deny, modify, impose conditions upon, or revoke permits pursuant to this section. The action of the county board about a permit application is final, subject to appeal as provided in section 394.27.

(c) The commission shall, by order, establish general permit standards, including appropriate property line set-backs, governing site permits for LWECS under this section. The order must consider existing and historic commission standards for wind permits issued by the commission. The general permit standards shall apply to permits issued by counties and to permits issued by the commission for LWECS with a combined nameplate capacity of less than 25,000 kilowatts. The commission or a county may grant a variance from a general permit standard if the variance is found to be in the public interest.

(d) The commission and the commissioner of commerce shall provide technical assistance to a county with respect to the processing of LWECS site permit applications.