July 11, 2015
Nebraska

Gage County examining wind farm regulations

by Doug Kennedy, KWBE | July 10, 2015 | www.kwbe.com

As Gage County considers possible revisions to regulations governing commercial wind farms, the public will get at least three more chances to provide input. The Gage County Board is tentatively planning a public forum for mid-August. Any proposed changes in the regulations would then be subject to public hearings before both the county’s planning commission and the county board.

The county’s planning commission met on potential new regulations yesterday….the same day Lancaster County’s Planning Commission issued a final draft of rule changes.

Cindy Chapman and her husband live along the northern Gage County border, where a commercial wind farm developer is considering a more than 50-turbine wind project.

“out of compliance”

Noise level generated by the turbines and setback distances on towers from landowners not participating in the project, are two key concerns.

Gage County Board Chairman Myron Dorn says the setback requirement for non-participating landowners…..those not paid for an easement….could help head off conflicts if set correctly.

“affected their property”

Doris Blum lives in far southern Lancaster County near West Gage Road. Her family wrote a letter to the Gage County Planning Commission, opposing the proposed wind farm near land her family farms in both counties.

“neighboring land owner”

The southern Lancaster, northern Gage County proposal by Volkswind U.S. has drawn concern from landowners in an area where residential concentration is greater than in southern Gage and southern Jefferson Counties, where the Steele Flats Wind Energy farm was developed. Blum feels the setback regulation of wind towers from non-participating landowners should be at least one mile.

As for decibel level governing wind turbines, Lancaster County has proposed a limit of 40 decibels from seven a-m until 10 p-m…..and 37 decibels in the overnight period. Dorn says Gage County is more in favor of a single standard.

“in the county”

The Gage County Planning Commission yesterday also discussed the idea of requiring a bond from wind farm developers as protection for when wind farms are decommissioned.

[audio clips available at source]

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/07/11/gage-county-examining-wind-farm-regulations/