Wind farm agreement wise
The Winfield Daily Courier, www.winfieldcourier.com 9 May 2011
Governor Sam Brownback has done well to nearly double the area in the Flint Hills that will be wind-farm free.
At least this is the prospect of an agreement between the governor and representatives of the wind-energy industry.
The so-called “Tallgrass Heartland” agreement will not affect the wind farm near Beaumont nor the one underway in Elk County.
But it will protect some 10,895 square miles extending to the Oklahoma state line from further wind-farm development.
This expands the current 4, 673 square wind-farm free zone agreed upon by former Governor Kathleen Sebelius and the industry.
Ranchers, power companies, preservationists and government officials took part in the process leading to both agreements.
While future demand for alternative energy could put on pressure to reduce the enlarged zone, it looks to be solid for now.
The governor seems to understand that in the rush to develop a Kansas wind industry, we should not sacrifice the world’s largest remaining expanse of tall-grass prairie.
Good for Sam Brownback.
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/05/09/wind-farm-agreement-wise/