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 opponent arrested in alleged shooting incident
An Expedition Wind Farm opponent was arrested Thursday after surveyors staking property in preparation for wind farm construction were reportedly greeted with gunshots. Amy D. Stutzman, 46, Peabody, was jailed at 3:23 p.m. Thursday afternoon on suspicion of three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. She was released from jail on $50,000 surety bond shortly before 10 p.m. Undersheriff Dave Huntley said Stutzman was yelling at surveyors for Westwood Professional Services and approaching the surveyors while shooting at . . . Complete story »
County nixes extra day for Christmas break
ERIE – Christmas will not be coming early for Neosho County employees, as Neosho County Commissioners voted Thursday against taking Monday, Dec. 23, as an extra holiday. Commission Chair Gail Klaassen said while it would be nice to have the day off, it would be a significant expense and it would be difficult. Commissioner Paul Westhoff agreed, but wanted to keep the schedule consistent. “In January, the Commission makes the holidays for the year,” Westhoff said. “I think we need . . . Complete story »
County forms wind farm board
OSWEGO – Labette County commissioners on Monday set the advisory committee that will look into wind farm regulations and also gave the facilitator some direction on getting the group started. The commission named the members to the wind farm study group by a series of resolutions. They are Sandy Krider, Labette County Public Works director; Rod Landrum, retired executive director of the Labette Health Foundation; Kevin King, a crop insurance agent who lives near Big Hill Lake; Mel Hass, who formerly . . . Complete story »
5 names brought forward to study wind development
OSWEGO – Labette County commissioners as soon as Monday may appoint five members to a wind turbine study group that will make recommendations on wind farm regulations. Commissioners on Wednesday shared five names for the study group and discussed the selections. Each commissioner recommended one or two members for the group. The appointments will not be official until resolutions are passed at a future meeting, perhaps as early as Monday. Study group members will then have to be sworn in before . . . Complete story »
Big settlement offered to wind farm foes
Expedition Wind, the company approved Nov. 15 to develop a wind farm in the southern portion of the county, has sent letters offering settlement to plaintiffs who filed a lawsuit opposing the project. The company offers various settlements, some as much as buying their property for 1½ times its value. The offer would apply only to plaintiffs of a suit filed Aug. 14 in district court. The property purchase offer is only for those who live within the footprint of . . . Complete story »
Lack of county road upkeep by Apex concern
ERIE – Neosho County Commissioners pressed developers of the Neosho Ridge wind electricity generation project and an engineer Thursday evening on road improvements in the southwest part of the county. Commissioner David Orr said project site manager Jason Martindale and engineer Tanner Yost with the engineering firm Kirkham Michael need a comprehensive plan at the commission’s next meeting to address road problems in the project area. The issue came up Thursday evening from project critic and area resident Dustie Elsworth . . . Complete story »
County OKs wind farm agreement
After 3½ hours of discussion and pointed questions from county commissioner Dianne Novak Friday, county commissioners approved a development agreement for a wind farm project long the subject of contention. The agreement was approved by commissioners on a split vote, with Randy Dallke and Kent Becker voting in favor and Novak voting against letting the wind farm proceed. The approval was granted with a few amendments to the original proposal – one of which was that the wind farm would increase . . . Complete story »
Commissioners at odds over makeup of wind farm board
OSWEGO – Labette County commissioners haven’t reached consensus on how to form a board that will review wind farm issues and report to them with recommendations. The commissioners still are far apart on board membership. After a 30-minute discussion Monday, commissioners agreed to each write outlines or proposals on how the board will be formed, operate and report. These will be discussed at the Nov. 27 commission meeting. Commission Chairman Doug Allen first suggested that the board have five members. The . . . Complete story »
Wind farm fight moves into Kansas courts
“The wind farm fight is far from over,” Nick Egli said Sunday night. Reno County landowners opposed to a wind farm are organizing again as the company takes its case to court. It’s a fight over who has the right to say yes or no to wind energy development in Reno County, a fight some thought was over this summer but now is dragging on into the state’s courts. This latest development in a story KAKE News Investigates first told . . . Complete story »
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 »
