Michael Best & Friedrich LLP to Host: 'Intellectual Property Protection in the Emerging Offshore Wind Energy Sector'

Alliance member Michael Best & Friedrich will host an upcoming session on Intellectual Property Protection during the upcoming AWEA Offshore Windpower Conference and Exhibit on Oct. 11-13th in Baltimore, MD.  The session will be held at the Hilton Baltimore in the Key Ballroom 9-10 on Oct. 12th in the West (Main) Building, 401 West Pratt Street, Second Floor, Baltimore, MD. 

Citing the recent claims from American Superconductor (AMSC) against Sinovel Wind Group Co. for "stolen intellectual property", IP protection is a timely subject for those in the wind market.  The emerging offshore opportunities in the United States will generate greater competition within the market as future sites are determined and incentives are organized around offshore wind PPA's, making it more and more important for those within the wind market to focus on IP protection. 

Also during the conference, Michael Best & Friedrich will host a poster presentation on 'Offshore Wind PPA's, the Ontario Feed-In Tariff, and the New Jersey OREC Program: Strong Government Support to Key Success'. 

To RSVP for the sessions and find out more information, contact Jocelyn Gomez of Michael Best & Friedrich at jagomez@michaelbest.com or 414-225.4964. 

Committee Votes to Suspend Wind Turbine placement Rule

On Tuesday a legislative committee voted to suspend rules adopted by the state Public Service Commission last year regarding the placement of wind turbines.

The vote came in 5-2 by the joint committee that reviews administrative rules. This means there are now no statewide standard in place governing setbacks of wind turbines.

In a debate that has pitted economic development opportunity against concerns about property rights, wind energy supporters argued in favor of the rule. Critics of the wind powered projects contended that the setback of wind turbines was not restrictive enough.

The PSC rule was finalized in December and would have been in effect Tuesday if the note had not passed.

The full Legislature must now follow up on the committee’s vote by passing a bill to throw out the PSC rule. A bill under construction would send the issue back to the PSC for revision, giving the agency seven months to have the revision completed.

Republican Sen. Leah Vukmir said the PSC rule was tantamount to “a government sanctioned taking because it reduced the value of property for nonparticipating landowners without their consent and without compensation.”

Representative, Fred Kessler notes that all energy choices are controversial, including older sources such as coal and it’s important for the state to support the development of wind energy. “This is the next generation of technology,” said Kessler, “why would we not be supporting this when companies will go to another states if these rules are suspended.”

The American Wind Energy Association said the PSC rule was restrictive enough, given that it set specific noise limits and restrictions on shadow flicker in addition to turbine distant setbacks.

“These rules were developed collaboratively by the wind energy industry and all major stakeholders in Wisconsin,” said Jeff Anthony, director of business development at the American Wind Energy Association and a Wisconsin Resident.

But Bob Welch, a lobbyist for the Coalition for Wisconsin Environmental Stewardship, which represents groups that have been fighting wind projects, said his constituents need a "fair hearing" at the PSC. "As far as those who want to build wind turbines in Wisconsin, all they've got to do is treat their neighbors fairly," Welch said. "Property rights need to be protected."