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.
Bill would let local communities set wind power rules
In the latest strike at wind energy in Wisconsin, Sen. Frank Lasee, R-DePere, is proposing legislation to allow local communities to set their own requirements for siting wind turbines instead of adhering to a statewide standard. The measure would allow cities, towns or villages to establish their own rules regarding how close wind towers could be erected to homes or other structures. “Local communities should be able to create their own rules for public safety,” Lasee said in a statement. . . .
Wind turbine bill introduced
GREEN BAY – While the state continues to try to iron out uniform regulations when it comes to the use of wind energy, one area lawmaker is taking matters into his own hands. But wind supporters feel it’ll ultimately cost the state jobs. Large wind turbines are becoming a common sight across the nation, as communities turn to the renewable energy for power. But projected wind farms in Wisconsin hit a bit of a snag early last year, when the . . .
Bill allows communities more control over wind turbine setbacks
Madison, WI – State Senator Frank Lasee (R) of De Pere, WI introduced a bill allowing local communities to create their own minimum setback requirements for wind turbines. Current law doesn’t allow local communities to establish distances from property or homes that 500 feet tall wind turbines can be located. “Local communities should be able to create their own rules for public safety,” Lasee said. “We shouldn’t leave it to bureaucrats in Madison to make these decisions that affect home . . .
Bill gives local control for determining wind turbine rules
A Wisconsin lawmaker is introducing legislation that allows local communities to create their own minimum setback requirements for wind turbines. According to Sen. Frank Lasee, current law doesn’t allow local officials to establish distances from property or homes that 500 feet tall wind turbines can be located. “Local communities should be able to create their own rules for public safety,” Lasee said. “We shouldn’t leave it to bureaucrats in Madison to make these decisions that affect home values and people’s . . .
Renewable energy does not come cheap
A new wind farm is complete in Columbia County and it will soon be killing more birds than a Sarah Palin Thanksgiving photo op. Or, for you heavy metal fans, more mosquito-eating bats than Ozzy Osbourne ever killed. It’s the largest wind farm in Wisconsin, 90 turbines spread over 17,000 acres of farmland. It is expected to generate 162 megawatts of electricity, enough to power 45,000 homes. We Energies was expected to spend $363.7 million on the project, although it . . .
County wind power debate entering fifth year
A legal, and neighbor-against-neighbor, battle in northeastern St. Croix County continues as the pros and cons of wind-generated power are debated. The issue has already been brewing for four years and it may not be settled anytime soon as we enter the fifth year of the controversy. Talk to anyone and they will, in general terms, talk about wind power as a good, efficient and cheap energy source for the times — that’s the easy part. But then, try finding . . .
Developer files to build 102-MW Wisconsin wind farm despite suspended siting rules
Emerging Energies of Wisconsin LLC has filed an application with Wisconsin utility regulators seeking to construct a 102.5-MW wind project, despite suspended wind siting rules that have roiled the state’s wind industry. The application comes at a time when state rules for wind power remain in limbo, following the March decision by a Wisconsin legislative committee to suspend wind farm siting rules as they were set to go into effect. The rules had been approved by the Wisconsin Public Service . . .
Wind farm plan returns
A proposal to build a wind farm in western Wisconsin is back despite the opposition of local government officials, who rescinded permits for the project and adopted a moratorium on wind projects. The proposal from Emerging Energies of Wisconsin was filed with the state Public Service Commission. It’s the first proposal for a large wind farm filed with the state this year. Hubertus-based Emerging Energies is seeking to build 41 turbines that would generate 102.5 megawatts of power in the . . .
Study shows harm from wind turbine in Massachusetts
A study has been done on the East Coast measuring the low-frequency noise coming off the blades of an industrial wind turbine in Falmouth, Mass., and entering people’s homes and making them sick. This study is science-based and was completed by licensed acoustic experts. They are asking for what we here in Wisconsin are asking for — objective, science-based epidemiological health studies of operational wind projects. Why aren’t the wind corporations calling for these needed studies? Because they know what . . .
Wind farm proposal is first in 2 years; Commission gets application for St. Croix County project
MADISON — Developers have applied to the Public Service Commission for a permit to build a large new wind farm in western Wisconsin, the first application of its kind in more than two years. Emerging Energies applied this month to build Highland Wind Farm, a 41-turbine, 102.5-megawatt project in the St. Croix County towns of Forest and Cylon, about 25 miles east of the Minnesota border. The application comes as new wind siting rules remain in limbo in the PSC, . . .
