Wind farm met with continued opposition
About 50 town of Mishicot residents voiced opposition Wednesday night to a proposed wind turbine project being considered on four town properties.
Many citizens said they aren’t opposed to the project or the technology that would provide clean energy, but said safety concerns are paramount.
“It’s a great technology, but it has to be put in safely,” said Jeff Roberts, an opponent of the project. Roberts lives just east of two proposed turbines.
The Mishicot town board on Wednesday held a meeting to discuss the seven turbines proposed by Emerging Energies LLP of Hubertus. Emerging Energies is required to present information at a town meeting before applying for a county conditional use permit for the project.
The town board must also approve the project before the county approves a conditional use permit. No action was taken Wednesday, but the board could vote on the wind farm as early as its June 4 meeting, Town Chairman Chuck Hoffman said.
Emerging Energies was granted a conditional use permit in July 2006, but Manitowoc County Circuit Judge Patrick Willis in April reversed the permit.
Willis ruled that the county Board of Adjustment failed to act “according to law” when the permit was approved because it did not apply to the Manitowoc County Wind Ordinance that took effect in May 2006.
The new ordinance requires a 1,000-foot setback for wind turbines from a neighbor’s property line.
On Wednesday, Emerging Energies partners Tim Osterberg and Bill Rakocy said none of the proposed 492-feet tall turbines meet the 1,000-foot setback requirement.
Emerging Energies hopes it can obtain easements or variances, or — with the possible help of money — woo neighbors into agreeing to a setback waiver, Osterberg and Rakocy said.
By Kevin Braley
Herald Times Reporter
17 May 2007
Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
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