September 7, 2010
Wisconsin

Wisconsin sets new wind farm siting rules

Tamar Wilner, Windpower Monthly, 07 September 2010, windpowermonthly.com

Wisconsin’s utilities commission has set guidelines aiming to align the state’s hotchpotch of local siting rules.

The Public Service Commission’s rules, if approved, will serve as ceilings on the regulations that local government can pass on wind farms of under 100MW.

The rules cover setbacks, noise, shadow flicker, compensation and other issues.

Wind farm requirements have varied greatly between counties in Wisconsin, with at least one imposing a blanket ban on wind turbines.

The state has suffered a years-long development drought, stuck at under half a gigawatt of wind power.

Legislators reacted last year by passing a law requiring the PSC to establish the uniform permitting standards.

The guidelines will now be reviewed by the state legislature.

Under the guidelines local governments in Wisconsin can set the following rules:


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2010/09/07/wisconsin-sets-new-wind-farm-siting-rules/