November 16, 2010
Indiana

Neighbors riled over changes to wind turbine code

By DOROTHY SCHNEIDER, Journal and Courier, www.jconline.com 15 November 2010

Tippecanoe County officials are considering relaxing the sound limits previously set for wind energy developments planned here, but concerned neighbors are making noise about the idea.

The county commissioners gave initial approval this morning to changes to the wind energy ordinance. A final vote is scheduled for the Dec. 6 meeting, and the commissioners could still change the proposal – though none of the three committed today to doing so.

Kevin Nicoson, a local attorney who lives in Romney, asked the commissioners to consider how the development of wind turbines near his home will impact the quality of life there.

“I know my life is going to be disrupted – just how much?” he said.

Official plans for the county’s first wind farm were announced in early September. Carmel-based Performance Services plans to build a 25-turbine wind farm on about 2,500 acres in the northwest part of the county.

In the southwestern part of Tippecanoe County, Invenergy Wind LLC of Chicago is planning a wind farm with 133 turbines.

Greg Leuchtmann, development manager for Invenergy’s project here, spoke at this morning’s commissioners meeting and called the proposed changes to the ordinance “appropriate and practical.”

Commissioner Tom Murtaugh said the county fielded requests from the companies interested in wind farm developments to raise the sound limits from 45 to 55 decibels. The proposed amendment would place the new limit at 50 decibels, which Murtaugh said is a good compromise.

For more on this story, read Tuesday’s Journal & Courier.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2010/11/16/neighbors-riled-over-changes-to-wind-turbine-code/