January 19, 2011
Wisconsin

Town of Morrison looks at changing rules for wind turbines

By Matt Smith, WBAY-TV, www.wbay.com 18 January 2011

Amid ongoing debate at the state Capitol, the Town of Morrison in Brown County continues discussion on expanding or creating another ordinance for wind turbines.

A group of residents opposes a proposed wind farm project in southern Brown County that would build 100 turbines.

Currently that project is on hold since its application to the state Public Service Commission is incomplete.

It’s a debate that has united and divided communities across southern Brown County.

Tuesday night, more than 60 town residents united in hopes of creating another ordinance restricting what wind companies can do – restricted themselves by the state Legislature.

“If you have an ordinance that doesn’t comply with state law, you’re illegal,” Town of Morrison consultant Glen Schwalbach said.

Soon-to-be enacted rules by the Public Service Commission change setback rules for neighboring properties and how much nearby residents can be paid.

But already Governor Walker has introduced legislation as part of the special session that would impose even tighter guidelines for wind companies.

“I think they are going to extend the setbacks, and they well should be. They should be much greater than originally planned,” Morrison resident Gerald Cornelissen said.

Yet others, like the Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters, say the proposal would lose the state nearly $2 billion in new wind power investments.

If no further legislative action is taken, the Public Service Commission says the new changes are expected to take effect March 1st.

For now the debate continues – from town halls to the state Capitol.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/01/19/town-of-morrison-looks-at-changing-rules-for-wind-turbines/