Wind Power News: Kansas
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch. They are the products of and owned by the organizations or individuals noted and are shared here according to “fair use” and “fair dealing” provisions of copyright law.
NextEra seeks to appeal local judge’s ruling
A scheduling hearing on the lawsuit over the proposed Pretty Prairie Wind Farm was canceled on Thursday after attorneys for the developer filed a motion seeking an immediate appeal to a higher court on a recent ruling by District Judge Tim Chambers. The motion asks Chambers to make a finding that his May 21 ruling on a motion for summary judgment “involves a controlling question of law as to which there is substantial ground for difference of opinion, and that . . . Complete story »
Planning board agrees to amend wind farm regulations
The Reno County Planning Commission agreed after about a 90-minute public hearing on Thursday to amend county zoning regulations on commercial wind developments. A majority of the evening’s two dozen speakers asked the commission to adopt a 21-page draft document submitted by Reno County Citizens for Qualify of Life that included significant additions and modifications to current regulations. At least two planning commissions, however, after the commission unanimously voted to proceed to make changes, voiced a desire that it be . . . Complete story »
Questions abound at Frankfort meeting on wind farm
The first meeting to discuss extraterritorial zoning around Frankfort drew a big crowd and featured a variety of speakers and questions from area residents. About 100 people attended the meeting Thursday evening in Frankfort City Park. Speakers included Frankfort Mayor Brian Smith, Sabetha City Administrator Doug Allen, assistant Marshall County counselor Coleman Younger and Frankfort city attorney John McNish. Complete story »
Frankfort neighbors upset over company installing wind turbines
A group of neighbors in Frankfort are trying to bring attention to what they said is an eye sore for many. They’re concerned about a company called NextEra installing more than 100 wind turbines near their city. Gayla Randel said they weren’t informed the company was looking to build in their area, and only heard through the talk of the town. “We’re considered a non-participating land owner that means we don’t have enough land to be considered so we are . . . Complete story »
Wind farm preliminary work continues
Marshall County commissioners met with several people Monday to discuss the proposed Irish Creek Wind Farm and address Frankfort-area residents’ concerns. Commissioners’ Chairman Barb Kickhaefer said she had received calls from county residents asking how landowners could believe that engineers and special counsel for the project, attorney James Neeld, Kansas City, Mo., were working for the commissioners. The concerns were raised after Marshall County counselor Jason Brinegar said that historically the project’s developer, NextEra Energy, has agreed to pay all . . . Complete story »
Wind farm negotiations continue; landowner requests zoning
Marshall County commissioners heard an update on Irish Creek Wind Project negotiations May 27, and on Monday they met with a landowner who requested the county implement zoning restrictions for wind turbines. Special counsel James Neeld, an attorney from Kansas City, Mo., who has been hired to assist the county in the negotiations with NextEra Energy, Juno Beach, Fla., told commissioners he had received and reviewed the first draft of the wind farm agreement from NextEra. Complete story »
Novak faces subpoena; Wind farm targets private emails
After unsuccessfully trying to get copies of commissioner Dianne Novak’s personal emails with an open records request, a wind farm concerned about her possible role in aiding its opponents says it will subpoena those emails from her directly. Expedition Wind last month filed a lawsuit seeking more than $35 million from Peabody farmer Randy Eitzen and five other defendants. The defendants are plaintiffs who did not withdraw from a lawsuit filed last August against the county. Although Novak is not . . . Complete story »
Planning board to take up wind regulation process
The Reno County Planning Commission is scheduled Thursday to consider adopting a procedure to follow for amending the county’s regulations on commercial wind development. The process may include two public hearings. The first, proposed for June 18, will take public comment on what should go into the regulations. The second will follow the planning board’s drafting of regulations, if they decide to do so, before forwarding them to the Reno County Commission for adoption. No public comment will be allowed . . . Complete story »
Tables turned on wind farm opponent
The lead plaintiff in three lawsuits filed in opposition to a wind farm being developed in southern Marion County is now the lead defendant in a lawsuit filed by the company developing the wind farm. Expedition Wind and six other plaintiffs seek $35 million, plus costs and interest, from Peabody farmer Randy Eitzen for what they claim is abuse of process. They seek additional damages to be determined at trial, plus costs and interest, from all six defendants on their . . . Complete story »
Crawford County approves wind farm plans
GIRARD – The Crawford County Commission approved several agreements Tuesday with Jayhawk Wind, LLC, which is a renewable energy project in development by the company Apex Clean Energy, Inc. in northwestern Crawford and southwestern Bourbon counties. In discussing the agreements, County Counselor Jim Emerson noted that the project is primarily in Bourbon County, with only 20 or so wind turbines in Crawford County. “I think there were questions about the amount of money we were going to be receiving,” Emerson said. . . . Complete story »
