November 22, 2016
South Dakota

Lincoln County wind setbacks

By Jack Taylor | KELO | November 21, 2016 | kelo.com

The Lincoln County Commission has second reading tomorrow on a one mile setback for the proposed Dakota Power Community Wind farm.

Supporters say the setback would effectively end the project. Winnie Peterson, with “We Care SD” says the group is not opposed to wind power.

Peterson says current technology could potentially, “and in many cases have already proven to pose health safety, property value and property rights’ risks to the community that’s already living there.”

Peterson says the group doesn’t believe the wind farm can be built safely.

She says if the current technology that Dakota Power Community is proposing can’t “create a situation where our community isn’t safe, then it shouldn’t be installed there.”

Peterson wants residents to have enough information to make an informed decision.

She says Lincoln County isn’t truly urban with 60,000 residents, calling it a significant population. She says the people per square mile ratio makes Lincoln County unique in South Dakota.

South Dakota ranks third in the nation in the percentage of power from the wind. Local opposition to other proposed wind farms have ended or delayed projects across the state.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2016/11/22/lincoln-county-wind-setbacks/