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Wisconsin business group wants state senator to end ‘war on wind’
July 12, 2012 by Ken Paulman in Midwest Energy News

A Wisconsin state senator wants to reopen debate on the state’s years-long effort to establish uniform wind siting rules, and representatives from the renewable energy industry say they’ve had enough. ...Sen. Lasee, a Republican from De Pere, this week brought four people before the state’s Public Service Commission to discuss health problems they attribute to the Shirley Wind Farm in Brown County.

Also filed under [ Impact on People]

Wis. court: Regulators properly approved wind farm
July 11, 2012 by Todd Richman in Winona Daily News

The groups said the PSC issued a so-called certificate of authority rather than a certificate of public convenience and necessity, which would have required a far more stringent review. For example, the CPCN route requires a public hearing as well as PSC determinations that the project is in the public interest ...When the project was approved, WP&L hoped to recover $91.7 million electric and natural gas rate increase. That breaks down to about $9 more per month for electricity and $2.40 more per month for gas for a typical residential customer.

Also filed under [ General]

The Big Wind Game Plan
July 9, 2012 by Frank Lasee

We are requesting that the PSC, suspend the rules and reconvene a wind siting council that is not stacked with wind interests. A fair and unbiased commission, a commission that will follow State Statutes. PSC 128 was supposed to take the harmful effects of IWT's into account when they made their setback rules.

Also filed under [ Impact on People]

Wind turbine opposition mounts; Brown County family tells of daughter's health problems
July 9, 2012 by Hannah O’Brien in Green Bay Press-Gazette

Because of health problems experienced by families like the Ashleys, state Sen. Frank Lasee, R-Ledgeview, is pressuring the Public Service Commission to change its rules for the construction of wind turbines. "This really is about our government not protecting our citizens," Lasee said Sunday during a news conference at Way-Morr County Park in Morrison, about five miles from wind turbines in Glenmore.

Also filed under [ Impact on People]

Legislator pushes for increased regulations on wind turbines
July 8, 2012 in Green Bay Press-Gazette

State Sen. Frank Lasee, R-Ledgeview, says low-frequency noise from wind turbines causes a variety of health problems, and says the Public Service Commission needs to enact new rules to protect the health of those living near turbines. "It's time for the PSC to admit the current rules are not good enough."

Also filed under [ Impact on People| Energy Policy]

Wind turbine health effects stirs up controversy
July 8, 2012 by Kelly Schlicht in FOX 11 News

State Senator Frank Lasee hosted a news conference in which he detailed the health problems faced by three families who live in proximity to turbines. Lasee says these consistent health complaints include headaches, earaches, dizziness and nausea-all of which subsided after families moved out of the area of the turbines.

Also filed under [ Impact on People]

Renewable projects led to 1% hike in state power rates
June 19, 2012 by Thomas Content in Journal Sentinel

More renewable costs will hit utility bills in the next few years, especially for customers of Milwaukee-based We Energies. A group representing large energy users said "The report probably needs to be looked at in the context of Wisconsin's unique economy and circumstances. Today we have some of the highest rates in the Midwest and we have a good deal more electric supply than demand."

Also filed under [ General]

City loses power over turbines; State law limits municipalities' ability to control height
May 22, 2012 by Peter Bukowski in Brookfield Now

Mayor Steven Ponto said he's frustrated that the state has hamstrung local communities with such a broad plan. "Local governments know the needs and desires of their communities better than the state government does," Ponto said. "There should be flexibility on the local governments to make decisions that reflect the needs of the community.

Also filed under [ Zoning/Planning]

Wind turbine opponents sue town of Morrison over sign ordinance
May 18, 2012 by Paul Srubas in Green Bay Press-Gazette

The town in recent years has been invoking a 1980s-era ordinance that prohibits signs in residential and agricultural areas except generally real estate, nameplate and agricultural-related signs.

Also filed under [ General]

Homeowners in Forest get support from county officials
March 30, 2012 by Jeff Holmquist in New Richmond News

About 20 residents of the Town of Forest attended last week's St. Croix County Health and Human Services Board meeting to seek help in their fight against a wind farm proposal. Forest resident Doris Schmidt told the board members that residents are concerned about possible health issues that may develop among those living close to the 41 wind turbines planned for the township.

Also filed under [ Impact on People]

Highland Wind Farm application deemed complete
March 30, 2012 by Jeff Holmquist in New Richmond News

The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin has informed officials with the Highland Wind Farm project that its application for construction of a 41-turbine facility is officially complete and can move forward.

Also filed under [ General]

Legislature lets wind turbine placement rules stand
March 18, 2012 by Thomas Content in Journal Sentinel

One of Gov. Scott Walker's first legislative goals - to restrict wind farm development by protecting property rights - was dealt a setback last week when the Legislature adjourned its regular session.

Also filed under [ General]

With legislative session ended, wind turbine placement rules take effect
March 15, 2012 by Clay Barbour in Wisconsin State Journal

New statewide wind siting rules - stuck in the Public Service Commission for a year - are now law, after the Legislature gaveled out of session Thursday without passing a replacement.

Also filed under [ Impact on Landscape| Impact on People]

Wisconsin Senate Republican defects again, this time on wind farm rules
March 8, 2012 by Todd Richmond in Associated Press

Republicans argued that standard would put turbines too close to homes, causing health problems and driving down property values. Republican Gov. Scott Walker immediately introduced a bill after he took office in January 2011 that would have increased the setback to 1,800 feet from neighbors' property lines.

Also filed under [ General]

Debate still swirls over effects of wind turbines on Fond du Lac area residents
February 26, 2012 by Sharon Roznik in The Reporter

Mark Rademann has suffered from stomach problems for the first time in his life since the Cedar Ridge Wind Farm ... listening 24-7 to the low-frequency sound like a bad sub-woofer gives me a restless, uneasy feeling," he said. "I'll never forget the first time I heard the ‘whooping' of the blades. It just kind of hit me in the stomach."

Also filed under [ Impact on People]

Fond du Lac Co. residents want relief from wind farms too
February 16, 2012 by Bret Lemoine in WFRV

Residents living near an 88 turbine wind farm in Fond du Lac County are hopeful the decision will mean relief is also on the way, or at least a possibility. ...constant noise generated from the turbines that keeps them up at night and even builds up pressure, giving them severe headaches.

Also filed under [ Impact on People| Noise]

Resolution over Brown County turbine issues
February 15, 2012 by Heather Sawaski in WFRV

It was determined Wednesday that the Brown County Board will ask the state for emergency funding for families in the Town of Glenmore who say they are suffering adverse affects from wind turbines.

Also filed under [ Noise]

Aid for turbine victims sought
January 26, 2012 by Doug Schneider in Green Bay Press-Gazette

Saying the state allowed "irresponsible placement" of industrial wind turbines in the Glenmore area, the Brown County Human Services Committee has approved a measure to ask the state to pay emergency aid to families living near the Shirley Wind Farm.

Also filed under [ Impact on People]

Bill would allow communities to establish wind turbine setbacks
January 24, 2012 in Wisconsin State Journal

Sen. Frank Lasee, R-Ledgeview, recently introduced a bill that would allow officials in cities, villages, towns and counties to establish the minimum distance between a wind turbine and a home - even if those rules are more restrictive than any the state tries to enact.

Also filed under [ Energy Policy| Zoning/Planning]

Bill would let local communities set wind power rules
January 9, 2012 by Mike Ivey in The Capital Times

In the latest strike at wind energy in Wisconsin, Sen. Frank Lasee, R-DePere, is proposing legislation to allow local communities to set their own requirements for siting wind turbines instead of adhering to a statewide standard. The measure would allow cities, towns or villages to establish their own rules regarding how close wind towers could be erected to homes or other structures.

Also filed under [ General]