The Iron County Planning Commission held a lengthy discussion Thursday night with state energy program representatives, wind energy company members and retailers, engineers and concerned residents on the county's proposed wind energy ordinance changes. The Iron County Commission hopes to pass changes to the current ordinance, which was adopted February 2008, after planners have a chance to elaborate on wind energy regulations for both residential and commercial areas.

Union Township adopted this wind energy ordinance governing the placement of industrial scale wind turbines in the town.

At the August 4, 2008 town meeting, the Town of Ridgeville located in Monroe County Wisconsin passed a wind ordinance to govern placement of wind energy turbines in the town. Section VI of the ordinance establishes the development and performance standards to be adhered to, including turbine sound limits and setbacks. The full ordinance can be accessed by clicking on the link below.

The Town of Wilton, in Monroe County Wisconsin, recently adopted a land use ordinance that governs the placement of wind energy turbines in the town. Sections H and L of the ordinance address the standards pertaining to turbine sound limits and setbacks respectively. The full ordinance can be accessed by clicking on the link below.

The Magnolia Township in Rock County Wisconsin passed a wind ordinance to govern placement of wind energy turbines in the town. Sections G and J of the ordinance define standards pertaining to turbine sound limits and setbacks respectively. The full ordinance can be accessed by clicking on the link below.

The Township of Clay Banks, Wisconsin approved a wind energy ordinance to govern the construction of wind energy conversions systems (turbines) within the Township's boundaries. The full ordinance can be downloaded by clicking on the links at the bottom of this page. The sections on Noise and Setback requirements are excerpted and presented below.

An ordinance of the township of West Providence, Bedford County, Pennsylvania, concerning and regulating the placement, construction, operation, maintenance and decommissioning of wind turbine generators, the issuance of land use permits in connection therewith, and prescribing penalties for violations hereof. Section 12.1 of the ordinance pertaining to setbacks is included below (2,000 feet from a property line; 2,500 feet from all structures). The full text can be accessed by clicking on the link below.

The Calumet County Board of Supervisors of Calumet County Wisconsin adopted an ordinance governing sound levels and setbacks pertaining to industrial-scale wind turbines. The text of the ordinance adopted appears in the file linked to this page -- Chapter 79 of the ordinance. Click on the link to download the document and go to pdf page 266 of 325.

The town of Meredith, NY has introduced a new wind ordinance which bans industrial wind. By unanimously vote, the law was scheduled for a public hearing on March 4th. This new ordinance will void the ordinance permitting industrial turbines that was passed last summer (2007). The full law can be downloaded by clicking on the link below. Section 105 listed below provides some insight into the issues considered in developing this regulation.

The attached document contains the Brandon NY wind energy facility law. The law, which bans industrial-scale wind turbines, was passed in February, 2008.

The Town Board of Chilton Township in Calumet County, WI passed this Wind Energy System ordinance on Jan 14, 2007. The ordinance details specifications for conducting sound measurement procedures which follow ANSI standards. Sound measurement procedures which follow ANSI standards ensure the sound measurements are not open to potential bias.

This ordinance was adopted by the Trempealeau County Board in a 10-6 vote (see: http://www.windaction.org/news/13246 ). The ordinance distinguishes between three types of wind turbines including hobbyist, personal, and commercial. Commercial turbines include a 1-mile setback from habitable structures. The ordinance provides a comprehensive section on noise level limits for the turbines including specific requirements pertaining to pre- and post- construction noise studies. The adopted ordinance which can be downloaded below was sent to IWA by the Trempealeau County Clerk Paul L. Syverson.

Draft ordinance governing the placement of utility-scale wind turbines in the town of Enfield, New York.

This ordinance was adopted by the town of Woodville, WI. The ordinance contains important noise restrictions.

As interest in wind energy spreads throughout the Commonwealth, it becomes clear that there is a need within the cities and towns of Massachusetts for suitable zoning by-laws that accommodate wind projects. To help address this need, the Massachusetts Division of Energy Resources and Executive Office of Environmental Affairs developed this Model Amendment to a Zoning Ordinance or By-Law to assist cities and towns in establishing reasonable standards for wind power development. The by-law is developed as a model and not intended for adoption without review by municipal counsel:

The implementation of consistent statewide standards to achieve the timely and cost-effective installation of small wind energy systems is a matter of statewide concern. It is the intent of the Legislature that this section apply to all local agencies, including, but not limited to, towns, cities and counties.

Editor's Note: This small wind zoning statute, drafted by Paul Gay (Westport, MA) is currently in joint committee in the MA state legislature. The author describes himself as a proponent of small wind with an interest in promoting regulations that are drafted in such a way as to insure a properly functioning system while protecting the health, safety and welfare of the public.