Retired farmer Fernnell Becher says it's been an ongoing debate for years. Invenergy, a Chicago-based company, approached and obtained easements from around 40 county landowners, including Becher and her son. Yet, Becher says local governments prevented the project from moving forward with a recent ordinance that won't allow wind farms in the area because of its set-back standards. She says ordinances in the towns of Ridgeville and Wilton require any wind farm to be set back a half mile from any home or building.

Tim Le Monds with the Public Service Commission (PSC) says a new bill would change that, by prompting more uniformity in regulating wind projects statewide. He says the authority would remain with local governments, and the PSC would be involved with the creation of standards for local officials....including how far wind projects should be set back from property or homes.

Farmer Lyda Lanier of Ridgeville says local communities should have the power to decide that. She says public health and safety are at stake, and both state and county officials need to listen to and support local citizens, "and try not to be swept up by glowing accounts from developers."

Lanier and Becher say developers claim the wind farm would be an economic boost for the county.

Invenergy did not immediately return calls for comment.