New Rule Could Make It Easier to Build Wind Projects in Wisconsin

On January 1st, a wind siting rule took effect which could open the door to wind farms in southwest Wisconsin.

The rule provides a path for obtaining a permit to build a wind farm, as long as the project developers abide by the guidelines established by the state Public Service Commission (PSC). If a township wishes to regulate a wind energy power system its ordinances can not be more restrictive that the PSC's rules.

In short the PSC's rules trump any local ordinances.

The new rule could help the development of the proposed White Oak wind project in southwest Wisconsin. The White Oak wind project includes parts of Smelser, Hazel Green and Paris townships and has been on hold for more than two years.

Tom Green, senior manager of project development for Wind Capital Group the company pursuing the project believes that the passage of the PSC's rule will help to make the development of wind facilities in state easier.

"The new law will allow communities to plan and give wind developers the freedom to create wind farm strategies," said Ron Brisbois, Grant County Economic Development Director. "That's what everybody was waiting on," said Brisbois while talking about the White Oak project.

Joe Alt of Cuba City and a participant in the White Oak project stated, "it's important to discus the new rule. It's definitely going to help get a wind farm going."

However there are opponents to the White Oak project, in 2009 the Smelser Township supervisors enacted a moratorium on wind farms. Foes of the project said that siting has and always will be the main concern of numerous Smelser Township residents.

"We're just sitting neutral right now," said Smelser Supervisor, Arnie Rawson who voted for the moratorium and did not see the new wind-siting rules as of Monday. "We are very open-minded on it, but we have to be careful to weigh both sides."

Smelser Township Chairman, Gabe Loeffelholz states that there are still residents out there that are in favor of the moratorium. " I don't know what lies ahead," said Loeffelholz, "but whether it's ethanol, solar power, or wind turbines as an alternative energy source, I say go for it."

"Going for it," is exactly what former Gov. Jim Doyle and state lawmakers did previously. In October of 2009, Doyle signed a bill that called for state regulators to come up with statewide rules for wind farms that specified the conditions a local government could impose on the installation or use of a wind-energy system.

At the beginning of this month the commission adjusted the requirements on two issues of critical importance: setback distances between and compensation to neighboring residents.

Initially, the rule did not specify a definite setback distance between turbines and residences next to the host property. Now municipalities cannot establish a setback distance on non-participating residences that is less than 1,250 feet.

The new rule allows for the owner of non-participating residents within a half-mile of wind turbine to receive monetary compensation from the wind system owner said Alt. "It's fair to everybody."