Resource Library Category: Ordinances
| RSS | Ordinances |
Documents presented here are not the product of nor are they necessarily endorsed by National Wind Watch. This resource library is provided to assist anyone wishing to research the issue of industrial wind power and the impacts of its development. The information should be evaluated by each reader to come to their own conclusions about the many areas of debate.
Town of Magnolia (Wisc.) Wind Energy Systems Licensing Ordinance
Author: Town of Magnolia, Wisconsin
Download “Magnolia (Wisc.) Wind Energy Systems Licensing Ordinance”
View (plus email and print links) »
Town of Chilton (Wisc.) Wind Energy Systems Licensing Ordinance
Author: Town of Chilton, Wisconsin
Download “Chilton Wind Energy Licensing Ordinance”
View (plus email and print links) »
Wind Power Siting Issues — Overview
Author: Hewson, Tom
Presented at: National Association of Attorney Generals, Wind Energy Facility Siting Issue Panel, Manchester, NH, April 21, 2008
Extracted text:
Wind Project Siting Issues
• Need high quality wind resources
• Large footprint, small power output
• Wind power — Green but high cost alternative
• Tall Structures — Highly Visible
• Impact on local property values
• No air/water emissions but may pose other environmental health & safety challenges
• Wind generation environmental/economic benefits
Wind Project Development Issues
• Large footprint, small power output
– Industry rule of thumb has . . .
View (plus email and print links) »
Local law governing wind energy facilities in the town of Hamlin, N.Y.
Author: Hamlin, N.Y., Town Board
Findings
Regulation of the siting and installation of wind turbines is necessary for the purpose of protecting the health, safety, and welfare of neighboring property owners and the general public.
Wind Energy Facilities represent significant potential aesthetic impacts because of their large size, lighting, and shadow flicker effects.
If not properly regulated, installation of Wind Energy Facilities can create drainage problems through erosion and lack of sediment control for facility sites and access roads, and harm farmlands through improper construction methods.
Wind Energy Facilities . . .
View (plus email and print links) »
Amendments to Calumet County, Wis., ordinance
Author: Calumet County, Wis., Board of Supervisors
These amendments concerning noise and setbacks from wind energy systems were approved into law on March 18, 2008. Includes thorough guidelines for pre- and post-construction noise measurements and estimates of impact from wind turbines.
“The audible sound emitted by Wind Energy System operations shall not be greater than 5 dBA above the background noise level (L90) for the quietest period of the day measured during the pre-build noise study.”
“No low frequency sound or infrasound from wind energy system operations shall be . . .
View (plus email and print links) »
Safety Regulations for Operators and Technicians
Author: Vestas Wind Systems
“Do not stay within a radius of 400m (1300ft) from the turbine unless it is necessary. If you have to inspect an operating turbine from the ground, do not stay under the rotor plane but observe the rotor from the front.”
“In case of a fire during an uncontrolled operation, do under no circumstances approach the turbine. Evacuate and rope off the turbine in a radius of minimum 400m (1300ft).”
View: “Vestas Safety Regulations for Operators and Technicians: V90-3.0MW/V100-2.75MW, page 3″
Download . . .
View (plus email and print links) »
Wisconsin Wind Ordinances
Author: Rock County Tax-Payers for a Better Renewable Energy Plan
You can download PDFs of these ordinances by clicking on them. We’re in the process of collecting as many Wisconsin wind ordinances as we can. If you know of an ordinance you’d like us to make available, please CONTACT US (click here) and let us know!
Town of Chilton Wind Ordinance
Town of Clay Banks Draft Wind Ordinance
Town of Magnolia Wind Ordinance
Town of Union Wind Ordinance
Trempealeau County Wind Ordinance
State of Wisconsin Draft Model Ordinance
Go to: Wisconsin Wind Ordinances
View (plus email and print links) »
Stafford, N.Y., Zoning Law for Wind Energy Systems
Author: Town of Stafford, N.Y.
This amendment to the zoning law of Stafford, N.Y., prohibits any wind energy system taller than 175 feet. It requires a setback of twice the total height of the wind energy system or ten rotor diameters, whichever is greatest, from:
any state forest, public park or other area set aside for the purpose of preserving wildlife habitat or natural formation.
important bird areas.
the property line.
any public access building.
the right-of-way of any public road.
any residence or building.
The noise limits are 45 dB at . . .
View (plus email and print links) »
Meredith, N.Y. wind energy law
Author: Meredith, N.Y., Town Board
Article 300. COMMERCIAL WIND ENERGY FACILITIES
Section 303. Physical Standards for Wind Energy Facilities. A.
14. No shadow flicker shall be permitted on any off-site residence.
15. The maximum total height of an individual WECS can be no more than 400 feet.
17. The statistical sound pressure level generated by a WECS shall not exceed the ambient decibel level, both A-weighted and C-weighted, plus 5 decibels measured anywhere along the site boundary. Sites can include more than one piece of property and this requirement . . .
View (plus email and print links) »
Brandon Local Law No. 1 of 2008: Wind Energy Facilities
Author: Brandon, N.Y., Town Board
This law banning large-scale wind turbines was approved Feb. 20, 2008.
Article I
§4. Findings.
1. While wind energy is a potential renewable, nonpolluting energy resource of the Town and its conversion to electricity by indiviual property owners may reduce dependence on nonrenewable energy sources, the potential benefits must be balanced against potential impacts from large scale wind energy systems.
2. Regulatin of the siting and installation of wind turbines is necessary for protecting the health, safety, and welfare of neighboring property owners and . . .
View (plus email and print links) »
