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.
Wind farm firm doubles payment offer to county
A draft of the proposed agreement between Marion County and developers of a proposed wind farm shows the company is offering twice the per-megawatt rate the county is paid by Diamond Vista wind farm in the northern portion of the county. The proposed rate is $1,800 per megawatt over the first 10 years the wind farm operates. The estimated total annual payment is $360,000 for the first year and $330,600 for the following nine years. The payment in lieu of . . . Complete story »
County talks about wind farm board
OSWEGO – Labette County commissioners on Friday discussed an advisory board that will make recommendations on issues related to wind farm development in the county. Some citizens have contacted commissioners individually expressing interest in serving and commissioners said they will discuss naming the board as soon as possible, but they want to agree on the committee’s membership. Commission Chairman Doug Allen wants to move quickly to name the board and organize it so that it can begin meeting and gathering information . . . Complete story »
Wind farm opponents turn out for county meeting
County commissioners were met with a packed meeting room as they approved a conditional use permit and voted to change the language in zoning rules. Both moves make way for the Expedition Wind Farm. The first two items commissioners considered were a change in zoning text and a conditional use permit for the wind farm, both recommended by the planning commission Oct. 24. The planning commission recommended removing the words “electric transmission lines” from Article 19-105 to make the rules . . . Complete story »
Expedition Wind, county discuss farm’s development plans
Expedition Wind and county commissioners had their first public discussion Monday of a proposed development agreement that must be approved before building permits will be issued for work on a planned wind farm. Both parties consulted a draft agreement of the proposal during the discussion. The newspaper requested a copy of the draft proposal and has not received the document. Commissioner Dianne Novak said she thinks a payment in lieu of taxes agreement, which also must be approved before work . . . Complete story »
Nemaha County Commission extends moratorium six months
The six-month moratorium that went into effect May 13, 2019, has been extended by another six months to May 13, 2020. This decision was made Monday, Nov. 4, during the regular commission meeting of the Nemaha County Commissioners. Commissioners Gary Scoby, Tim Burdiek and Dennis Henry unanimously approved Resolution 2019-8, which states the commissioners will not hear any requests to use roads, infrastructure and other public areas of Nemaha County for a period of six months. The commissioners can vote . . . Complete story »
Labette County Commission moves forward with wind farm plans
LABETTE COUNTY, Kan.–Labette County is one step closer to having its own wind farm. County commissioners recently signed off on a moratorium, allowing the wind farm company to continue researching Labette County as a host. RWE, a German-based wind energy company, will continue to access the environmental, health and infrastructural effects of bringing turbines to the area. The turbines will placed in the southwest portion of the county, through Edna going to Lake Parsons. Allowing the company to move forward . . . Complete story »
Labette County Commission approves moratorium on wind farms
OSWEGO – Labette County commissioners on Thursday morning enacted a 12-month moratorium on construction of wind farms in the county on a 2-1 vote. Commissioners Doug Allen and Lonie Addis voted for the resolution to establish the moratorium. Commissioner Fred Vail, who attended by phone, voted against the resolution. The moratorium only relates to wind farm construction and not the groundwork that’s underway now by RWE, a utility company from Germany that is exploring the development of a wind farm in . . . Complete story »
Planners recommend wind turbine height restriction
Parsons planners are recommending what would amount to a ban on wind farms in the extraterritorial area surrounding the city. Besides the Parsons Planning Commission, only three city officials and one person from the public attended a Tuesday evening public hearing on the issue. “Apparently it’s not a hot topic,” Planner Lowell Wells said. The committee agreed to recommend to the city commission an amendment to the city’s zoning codes that would limit the height of wind energy conversion systems, . . . Complete story »
PILOTing with our eyes forcibly shut
Imagine there’s some sort of controversial project going on. You know, something like, say, a wind farm. If it’s not too much of a stretch, imagine that a bunch of people are riled up about it, and that the project requires special governmental approval. Not too hypothetical for you, is it? Now ask yourself what would be the single worst thing to do – the absolute best way to make sure already suspicious neighbors get even more riled up? You got . . . Complete story »
Commissioners butt heads over their choice of attorney
Marion county commissioner locked horns during a special meeting Friday to consider which lawyer to hire to help the county work out a payment in lieu of taxes agreement with Expedition Wind. Expedition Wind is the company working to develop a wind farm in the southern portion of the county. Friday’s dispute arose over county counsel Brad Jantz’s suggestion to hire Ellsworth-based Sherman, Hoffman, and Hoffman. The law firm worked with the proposed wind farm 11 years ago when it . . . Complete story »
