Wind turbine law's passage may be a breeze
REXBURG — June 15 will mark the passage of the new Madison County wind turbine ordinance (Zoning Ordinance No. 357) — provided that no objections are filed by county residents prior to that date. On May 15, Madison County Commissioners adopted the findings of fact by the Madison Planning and Zoning Commission. The adoption means that unless public protest is given, the ordinance will be passed.
But judging from the lack of public interest at the Planning and Zoning public hearing for the wind ordinance on May 14, protests may be unlikely.
According to Madison Planning and Zoning Administrator Brent McFadden, no county resident attended the meeting, and no correspondence was received. As such no votes in favor or in opposition were cast.
Instead the P&Z commission read through the ordinances and made minor corrections — most grammatical in nature.
One major change was the removal of the word “aesthetics” from the requirements for commercial windmills as it was deemed too vague.
According to the finished documentation, the purpose behind the ordinance is to provide recognition of “wind as a potentially valuable resource for alternative energy production,” as well as the increased demand for alternative energy production in Madison County.
“In order to balance this need with public health, safety and welfare of county residents, the county finds these regulations necessary,” according to the ordinance.
The wind turbine ordinance outlines specific requirements for both commercial and small private turbines. Some of the requirements include height, color, distance, insurance and electrical interference.
The ordinance was researched by the Brigham Young University-Idaho Physics Department in conjunction with the Idaho National Laboratory.
The P&Z Findings of Fact state that the P&Z Zoning Commission recommended the approval of this ordinance by county commissioners based on the fact that, “this would be a great benefit to the citizens of Madison County by giving them a cheap and effective source of renewable energy.”
After passage into law, the ordinance will require residents to obtain a building permit for private windmills.
Builders of commercial windmills will be required to obtain a conditional-use permit and a building permit.
McFadden said that he already has 15 individuals waiting for the passage of this ordinance to install windmills.
Some turbine standards
– Maximum height: Standard maximum height for small wind turbines is 60 feet. Height on commercial turbines is not restricted, and is determined by efficiency.
– Safety: All wind turbines must have an automatic breaking, governing or feathering system to prevent uncontrolled rotating, creating excessive pressure on any part of the equipment during catastrophic storms.
– Sound level: Sound on property lines for small wind turbines must not exceed 45 decibels.
– Color: Wind turbines shall be painted a nonreflective, nonobtrusive color such as gray or off-white.
– Advertising: Signage shall not be used for displaying any advertising.
NATE SUNDERLAND
23 May 2009
Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
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