The Madison County Planning and Zoning Commission has finished drafting an ordinance to regulate the use of small and commercial wind turbines. According to Madison County P&Z Administrator Brent McFadden, the proposed ordinance has been in the works for the past six months.

If passed, the wind turbine ordinance would amend Zoning Ordinance No. 176 by adding a chapter on wind turbine placement and specifications.

Zoning Ordinance No. 176 previously prohibited the construction of wind turbines except in "Agriculture/Recreational Zones" with a conditional-use permit.

The proposed ordinance follows the passage of a similar ordinance in Bonneville County on Jan. 28.

According to McFadden, the initial idea for the ordinance came after two building permits for wind turbines were issued in error by the P&Z Commission.

"I allowed several building permits (for wind turbines) to go in and I found out later that it was in violation of existing county ordinance," said McFadden. "This was my error and we wanted to correct it and allow people to put them in."

Madison County Commissioner Kimber Ricks said the ordinance is responding to a need.

Ricks said that technology is becoming more available for individuals to produce energy for their own use.

"They (wind turbines) are coming," said Ricks. "It's an alternative energy source, and from what I understand, the numbers work out for themselves."

He said that county commissioners are anticipating a "major interest in energy production from wind energy."

"The ordinance will provide some order to how they are built," said Ricks.

During its drafting phase, McFadden appointed P&Z vice chairman Ed Williams to chair a wind turbine committee made up of county residents and P&Z officials to explore the feasibility of wind energy in Madison County.

The wind turbine committee worked with the Brigham Young University-Idaho physics department and the Idaho National Laboratory who have been doing research into wind energy in Madison County for several years.

According to Williams, Madison County shows "great potential." He said that while average wind speeds are not incredibly high -- winds of 13 to 15 mph on the Rexburg Bench make wind energy and even wind farms "economically feasible."

"We don't have oil or natural gas in Madison County, but we do have wind -- so lets use it," said Williams.

Williams also stressed that the ordinance is not meant to restrict residents.

"It will allow everyone who wants one the opportunity to have a wind turbine while protecting the interests of neighbors."

The language in the draft ordinance covers the purpose of the ordinance, its definitions, and application in regards to commercial and residential wind turbines.

Some standards addressed in ordinance deal with height, turbine mounting, sound levels, power lines, parcel size, design, lighting and even color.

The ordinance also includes rules and regulations regarding the wind turbine application process.

A copy of the proposed ordinance can be obtained from the Madison County Planning and Zoning office by calling 359-6260.

McFadden expects the proposed ordinance to go to public hearing at the beginning of either May or June.