Wind Power News: Wisconsin
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They are the products of the organizations or individuals noted and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch.
‘Highland Wind’ group drops $25 million claim against town of Forest
The development group that wants to erect 41 wind turbines in the towns of Forest and Cylon announced Tuesday that they’ve dropped their $25 million claim against town officials on the basis “we owe it to the greater good to work together, figure this out and deliver the economic, social and environmental benefits that this project offers,” said Highland Wind Project spokesman Jay Mundinger. “This project too important to the economic vitality of the region and Wisconsin’s commitment to developing . . .
Questions linger over need for new power line
The Wisconsin Public Service Commission continues to question the need for a proposed high-voltage power line between Alma and Holmen, but the utilities behind the project say demand is there for more energy — and the project creates a backup that doesn’t rely on oil-burning generators on French Island. The PSC on Thursday released a final environmental assessment of the Wisconsin leg of CapX2020, incorporating comments from the public, state and federal agencies and the utilities. The 345-kilovolt line would . . .
GOP Senate candidate Mark Neumann defends taking $80K in stimulus funds for his Wisconsin company
The leading tea party-backed Republican candidate running for Wisconsin’s open U.S. Senate seat, who also has been a longtime critic of a federal stimulus program, received more than $80,000 in stimulus grants for his own solar energy company. And another renewable energy company run by former U.S. Rep. Mark Neumann signed a letter in November urging congressional leaders to keep the incentives flowing. The letter contradicts Neumann’s campaign stance calling for the immediate end to the 2009 stimulus program, enacted . . .
Wisconsin regulators defend renewable energy suspension
Wisconsin regulators defended a decision Wednesday to suspend renewable energy funding from a popular utilities program, despite criticism from businesses that it damages the state’s renewable energy marketplace. Public Service Commission spokeswoman Kristin Ruesch said a Focus on Energy program geared toward renewable energy was over budget and not cost effective. But she said they’re still analyzing how it may be restored later this year. The suspended program, introduced in 2002, offers monetary incentives to businesses and residents to install . . .
County committee in Green Bay says taxpayers should pay for medical bills of people living near a new wind energy farm
A county committee in Green Bay says Wisconsin taxpayers should have to cover the medical bills of people who got sick after a new wind energy farm opened near their homes. The Brown County Human Services Committee said the state allowed a quote, “irresponsible placement” of industrial wind turbines at the Shirley Wind Farm south of Green Bay in the town of Glenmore. The facility opened in 2010, and nearby residents have complained of anxiety, weight loss, depression, and higher . . .
Aid for wind turbine victims sought
Brown Co. panel: State should pay medical bills for those near wind farm Wisconsin should pay the medical bills of Brown County residents who were made ill by industrial wind turbines, some county supervisors say. Saying the state allowed “irresponsible placement” of industrial wind turbines in the Glenmore area, the Brown County Human Services Committee has approved a measure to ask the state to pay emergency aid to families living near the Shirley Wind Farm. The request, which seeks an . . .
Committee: Taxpayers should pay medical bills of people sickened by wind energy farm
GREEN BAY — A county committee says Wisconsin taxpayers should have to cover the medical bills of people who got sick after a new wind energy farm opened near their homes. The Brown County Human Services Committee said the state allowed a, “irresponsible placement” of industrial wind turbines at the Shirley Wind Farm south of Green Bay in the town of Glenmore. The facility opened in 2010, and nearby residents have complained of anxiety, weight loss, depression, and higher risks . . .
Aid for turbine victims sought
Wisconsin should pay the medical bills of Brown County residents who were made ill by industrial wind turbines, some county supervisors say. Saying the state allowed “irresponsible placement” of industrial wind turbines in the Glenmore area, the Brown County Human Services Committee has approved a measure to ask the state to pay emergency aid to families living near the Shirley Wind Farm. The request, which seeks an unspecified amount until the “hardships are studied and resolved,” could come before the . . .
Bill would allow communities to establish wind turbine setbacks
MADISON — The long stalemate over windmill siting rules could become a moot point if the Legislature approves a new bill that keeps the power over turbine placement in the hands of local officials. Sen. Frank Lasee, R-Ledgeview, recently introduced a bill that would allow officials in cities, villages, towns and counties to establish the minimum distance between a wind turbine and a home — even if those rules are more restrictive than any the state tries to enact. “Local . . .
Bay View wind turbines proposed
MILWAUKEE – Will they be an eyesore on the lakefront? Big wind turbines could be going up in Bay View. The wind turbines will be visible from as far away as Veterans Park. “I am not here to sell this wind turbine to you as the answer to all of our energy problems,” said Matt Howard, the city’s energy sustainability director. He believes wind turbines near the Port Authority property could help reduce energy cost at city owned buildings. The . . .
