October 25, 2016
South Dakota

Lincoln County holding public hearing on wind ordnance

By Carlos O Gonzalez | KSFY | Oct 24, 2016 | www.ksfy.com

CANTON,SD. (KSFY) Several companies would love to build wind farms and take advantage of the wind power found in the area.

But residents want a plan before any projects become reality.

“It’s impact will go well into future generations for this county. It will forever change Lincoln county,” said Chair of We-Care South Dakota, Winny Peterson.

The conversations of commercial wind farms in Lincoln county has drawn in mixed reviews

For more than 3 years- We-Care South Dakota has been working to bring awareness about the dangers of wind turbines.

Monday night- the zoning and planning commission will hold a pubic hearing regarding changes to the 2009 zoning ordinance.

“We’ve submitted dozens of scientific studies, we have done a significant amount of research around the world with what kinds of rules and regulations are in place. Not only in our community and in our own state, but all over the world where they are 10 and 15 and 20 years ahead of using this technology,” said Peterson.

Peterson says the current wind ordinance in Lincoln County needs to be worked on.

“It’s time for an update. At that time, wind turbines were not as large, not as powerful, not as prevalent and not as much was known, not much studies had been done on the effects on people and animals, the environment, the cost. Those things weren’t known,” added Peterson.

Members of the Lincoln County community are hoping Monday’s hearing will bring some new solutions.

“There are better green energy projects out there to produce electricity and we need to be looking at those. Those that protect the health and safety and economic welfare of the public, not ones that are going to destroy that,” said Canton resident, Cindy Thomas.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2016/10/25/lincoln-county-holding-public-hearing-on-wind-ordnance/