Wind Power News: Wisconsin
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch in its noncommercial educational effort 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.
No-Uplands group holds listening session for legislature on wind turbine project
Southwest Wisconsin’s state legislators sent a letter to Gov. Tony Evers requesting that Evers hold a listening session about the proposed Uplands Wind wind farm project in Lafayette and Iowa counties. The letter was sent Monday, 10 days after a hearing at the Belmont Convention Center May 28 that drew unanimous opposition to the proposed project. “Our listening session was well attended, with more than 100 residents who came to express concerns related to the project,” said the letter from . . . Complete story »
Southwest Wisconsin lawmakers hear proposals for energy legislation overhaul
BELMONT, Wis. – Faced with the construction of utility-scale solar and wind farms, southwest Wisconsin residents are appealing to state lawmakers, asking them to overhaul laws residents say leave them with little recourse against the proliferation of utility-scale facilities. Constituents pitched ideas for reform at a listening session Friday at the Belmont Convention Center, attended by an audience of more than 100 along with Sen. Howard Marklein, R-Spring Green, and Reps. Todd Novak, R-Dodgeville, and Travis Tranel, R-Cuba City. “Gentlemen, please . . . Complete story »
Eau Claire Co. town passes wind farm moratorium
A renewable energy company is once again proposing new wind turbines in Eau Claire County. This time, the proposal is in the Town of Lincoln, but the town passed a six month moratorium on wind farm development Monday. The moratorium is in response to a proposal by RWE Renewables Americas to create a windfarm in the town, just south of Highway 12. A couple dozen residents voiced their support of the moratorium at Monday’s meeting, some citing concerns about the . . . Complete story »
Environmental groups sue Corps of Engineers over power line permit; project faces 4 lawsuits
A proposed high-voltage power line between northern Iowa and southwestern Wisconsin faces yet another legal challenge. Environmental groups sued the Army Corps of Engineers in federal court Wednesday over its permit allowing utilities to place towers in the Mississippi River for the $492 million project known as Cardinal-Hickory Creek. The National Wildlife Refuge Association, Driftless Area Land Conservancy and three other organizations say the agency violated federal environmental law by failing to take a “hard look” at the environmental consequences . . . Complete story »
Wind farm proposed in Southwest WI
In the rolling hills of Southwest Wisconsin, one can drive down Highway 151 and look out their window to see cattle grazing in a pasture, a farmer and their family working together to produce a crop or even, if they’re lucky, maybe a bald eagle flying in the air. They also may see some wind turbines here and there. Who would have thought that, just outside of Platteville, a company is proposing the construction of the second-largest industrial wind system . . . Complete story »
County clean energy resolution hitting some snags
BROWN COUNTY – A resolution aimed at establishing an energy commission in Brown County is causing some controversy as proposed edits aren’t sitting well with area groups. A long-term comprehensive energy plan has been in the works in Brown County since 2018 when the county teamed up with Wisconsin Conservation Voters in an effort to seek clean energy options – with the most recent push starting this May with the creation of a resolution. After making it through the Planning, . . . Complete story »
Firm eyes Grant County for wind turbine energy facility
A Minneapolis firm is eyeing the Grant County townships of Clifton and Wingville to build a 19-wind turbine energy facility, according to a document it filed with the Public Service Commission. In a pre-application notice the PSC published recently, Westwood Professional Services stated that its plans for the 100-megawatt wind farm include an electrical substation, a permanent meteorological tower and possibly an operations and maintenance building, in addition to the turbines, of which some would be 600 feet tall. Whitetail . . . Complete story »
Wind turbines in Wisconsin: the problems they create
We are all familiar with these last few decades trying to show environmental importance and pushing a much-needed appreciative attitude of our environment. It has been incredible to see how far our society has come in caring for our earth, but have we gone far enough? No. In my opinion, we can never go far enough. We should do everything we can and more to help our environment, and sadly, even then, things will never be perfect. Take wind turbines, . . . Complete story »
Time for change on Wind Siting Council
Developers of industrial wind projects have their eye on Wisconsin. But state laws on wind turbines are in dire need of review. Wisconsin’s Public Service Commission has allowed its siting rules to become out of compliance. The PSC’s Wind Siting Council has failed to meet its 2019 statute requirement to review and recommend updates to PSC 128 Wind Siting Rules. The PSC is currently courting candidates for council vacancies to comply with this long overdue responsibility. The Commission should be . . . Complete story »
Wind and solar energy are ruining the planet
Laura Lane states in an op-ed, “Renewable energy moves Wisconsin forward … it is better for our planet, our people, and our pocketbooks.” Laura is dead wrong! Industrial wind and solar are destroying our planet and the lives of people! Obviously Laura has not been out in the country to see all the environmental destruction caused by the excavating for turbine bases destroying our water table and years and years of conservation efforts on the part of our farmers and . . . Complete story »
