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.
Leopold would not support wind turbines
For 31 years, I taught my students about the late Aldo Leopold, a Wisconsin environmentalist, hailed as “the father of modern ecology.” Leopold’s philosophy promoted the need for America to develop a culture that emphasized land stewardship: “That land is a community, is the basic concept of ecology, but that land is to be loved and respected is an extension of ethics.” Wisconsin’s push for industrial wind turbines is the antithesis of what Leopold believed. He would be aghast at . . .
ATC narrows route options for La Crosse-Madison power line
American Transmission Co. has narrowed the potential routes for a $425 million power line it will seek to build from Dane County to La Crosse. The Pewaukee power line company is proposing a 345,000-volt line that would stretch 150 to 170 miles, depending on the route selected. ATC has scheduled six open houses across the affected area next month. Responding to concerns about the power line, ATC has removed from consideration routes that would traverse scenic parts of Wisconsin’s Driftless . . .
ATC eliminates options for power line route
The Kickapoo Valley — one of the state’s most scenic regions — is no longer under consideration for a high-voltage transmission line through the Coulee Region. American Transmission Co. on Tuesday unveiled preliminary route alternatives for the proposed 345-kilovolt Badger Coulee line that would connect the Madison area with CapX2020, another proposed high-voltage line from the Twin Cities. Several Vernon County routes are now considered inactive. Five primary routes remain under consideration: two travel through the Holmen/ Onalaska area, traversing . . .
Wisconsin Public Service deserves blame for turbine woes
How many more families do we need to cripple in the name of wind energy? In December 2010, Shirley Wind went online. Within six months, two families were forced out of the homes they still own by the Shirley industrial wind turbines and have not returned. One moved into an RV; the other purchased a second home with additional mortgage burden. Critics will say these homeowners are just garnering attention, but what fool announces to the world that their home . . .
Forest Voice hopes to stifle turbine plan
There’s a favorable political wind blowing in Wisconsin for future turbine projects designed to generate electricity. When the state legislature adjourned last week, no action was taken to amend wind turbine siting rules that had been temporarily suspended over the past 12 months. As a result of the inaction, the previously adopted rules went into effect with little or no fanfare. That was good news, according to Jay Mundinger, founding principal of Emerging Energies of Wisconsin LLC, which is proposing . . .
Legislature lets wind turbine placement rules stand
One of Gov. Scott Walker’s first legislative goals – to restrict wind farm development by protecting property rights – was dealt a setback last week when the Legislature adjourned its regular session. After lobbying by wind energy developers, supporters and utilities, the Republican-controlled Legislature decided not to throw out rules governing how far wind turbines should be placed from homes. The move won’t bring immediate moves to develop major wind projects, experts say, but it helps provide clear rules for . . .
Is wind farm designed to fail?
Jay Mundinger, spokesperson for Highland Wind Farm LLC said: “[It is] time for cooler heads, rational decision making and a complete understanding of the benefits of a project like this.“ “It is time to …rationally discuss the benefits of the Highland Wind Farm.” I agree. Cooler heads … rationally discuss … let’s. Mr. Mundinger says, “Leaving aside the larger social, environmental and health benefits…” Mr. Mundinger is very focused on the “benefits.” Why then is the Highland Wind Farm designed . . .
Wind-power restrictions expire
Wisconsin senators did a huge favor to the wind-power industry as they walked out the door yesterday. They guaranteed that the Legislature would end its two-year session without passing new rules to put further restrictions on where wind turbines can be located. And that means the old rules imposed in 2010 by the state Public Service Commission automatically go into effect. Dan Rustowicz calls the Senate’s lack of action a great victory for wind power in Wisconsin. He’s with a . . .
With legislative session ended, wind turbine placement rules take effect
New statewide wind siting rules — stuck in the Public Service Commission for a year — are now law, after the Legislature gaveled out of session Thursday without passing a replacement. Under the new guidelines, wind turbines must have a setback from the nearest property line of 1.1 times the height of the turbine, or roughly 450 feet for an average windmill. Turbines also must be at least 1,250 feet away from the nearest residence. The new law was originally . . .
Damage is done
I read with interest the letter “The truth about Highland Wind Farm proposal” and their public relations attempt in the Town of Forest. Jay Mundinger refers to misleading information in township. Is it misleading? He states it is time for cooler heads, yet in the next paragraph he says to forget about social, environmental, health and so called benefits. “Highland Wind” is trying to ram through our township, consequences be damned. Financial benefits to whom? Not me. What doth it . . .
