Energy companies discovered long ago that the abundant wind in North Dakota could be harvested to produce electricity. Now, many homeowners in Bismarck are trying to get in on the action, too. That`s why the city held a meeting Wednesday evening on a proposed wind turbine ordinance.

Energy companies discovered long ago that the abundant wind in North Dakota could be harvested to produce electricity. Now, many homeowners in Bismarck are trying to get in on the action, too. That`s why the city held a meeting Wednesday evening on a proposed wind turbine ordinance.

Right now, the city does not have any rules regarding wind turbines. The ordinance the Bismarck Planning Department is helping to craft would regulate wind turbines producing less than 25 kilowatts and would cover everything from how large a wind turbine could be to where it could be placed.

Gregg Greenquist with the Bismarck Planning Department explains, "We`ve designed the ordinance so they`re basically not going to create problems for neighbors. That was our main concern."

Wind turbine supporter Al Sauter says, "I think there should be a different standard in the city limits as opposed to outside the city limits, and probably limiting it to 25kw might be a little small for rural areas. But other than that, I think they`re moving in the right direction."

The Bismarck Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing on the proposed wind turbine ordinance at 5:00 p.m. on May 27. The commission will then make a recommendation to city commissioners, who will get to make the final decision

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