www.windaction.org

Wisconsin recognizes Manitoba Hydro power as a renewable source
June 10, 2011 in Winnipeg Free Press

Under Assembly Bill 146 and Wisconsin's renewable portfolio standard, 10 per cent of electricity must come from renewable sources by 2015. The Bill was not without opposition. Critics said it was another blow to the state's struggling wind power industry.

Also filed under [ Energy Policy| Canada]

Spring Valley considering ban on wind turbines
June 4, 2011 by Gina Duwe in Gazette Xtra

Town officials in Spring Valley are considering a new moratorium on wind turbines after the largest wind company in North America inquired about town wind ordinances.

Also filed under [ General]

Advocates say wind projects in jeopardy; Bill would end expiration of energy tax credits
May 26, 2011 by Thomas Content in Journal Sentinel

Renewable energy supporters say the proposal, coupled with a plan to import hydroelectric power from Canada and new moves to restrict the location of wind turbines, amounts to a "stealth campaign" to repeal a requirement that 10% of the state's electricity must come from renewable sources by 2015.

Also filed under [ General]

Wind turbines threaten Wisconsin bats; Areas near blades can rupture animals' lungs
May 15, 2011 by Tony Walter in Green Bay Press-Gazette

In PSC reports obtained by the Green Bay Press-Gazette, a post-construction bat mortality study of the Wisconsin Power and Light Company's Cedar Ridge Wind Farm in Fond du Lac County, conducted by the power company, showed that 50 bats are killed annually by each of the project's 41 turbines - about 2,050 each year.

Also filed under [ Impact on Bats]

Rapids wind turbine plant on hold
April 2, 2011 by Nathaniel Shuda in Wausau Daily Herald

Energy Composites Corp. faced a Friday deadline to either reach an agreement with Wisconsin Rapids or sell the nearly 94 acres back to the city ...As part of the original development agreement, the city would have paid $1.5 million for infrastructure costs and $6,000 for each full-time job the company created on or before Dec. 31, 2012, up to $3.8 million.

Also filed under [ General]

Midwest Wind Energy suspends development activity in Wisconsin
March 30, 2011 in Midwest Wind Energy

Noe cites the recent suspension of PSC 128 by the Wisconsin Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules as the most convincing evidence that Wisconsin is not interested in working with the highly lucrative wind energy industry.

Also filed under [ General]

Rules may change for wind farm sites
March 27, 2011 by Thomas Content in Journal Sentinel

The Legislature's joint committee for review of administrative rules voted earlier this month to temporarily block a wind farm site rule developed by the state Public Service Commission. But that action was only good for 30 days. To keep the rule from taking effect Friday, the committee will meet again Tuesday to consider a bill that would send the issue back to the PSC.

Also filed under [ Energy Policy| Zoning/Planning]

Little Town of Forest's big federal lawsuit
March 26, 2011 by Glenn M. Stoddard in Forest Voice and Betterplan WI

According to Attorney Stoddard, most Town of Forest residents were completely unaware that the former the town board members, who lost a special recall election on February 15, 2011, had approved an agreement in 2008 and another one on August 12, 2010, to proceed with the proposed wind energy project.

Also filed under [ Impact on People]

Brown County wind farm plan shelved
March 22, 2011 by Steve Contorno in Greenbay Press Gazette

One of the largest developers of wind energy in the country canceled its plans to build a 100-turbine wind farm in southern Brown County, citing too many unknowns from state regulators.

Also filed under [ General]

Wind farm plans fall apart in Brown Co. Invenergy cites regulatory uncertainty
March 22, 2011 by Kristin Crowley in Fox 11

"With the recent suspension of PSC Rule 128 contributing to the state's regulatory uncertainty, we've had to reevaluate our planned investments in Wisconsin."

Also filed under [ General]

Glenmore Town Board postpones wind turbine decision
March 8, 2011 by Tony Walter in Greenbay Press Gazette

In an emotion-filled meeting that at one point had Town Chairman Don Kittell call in police officers when residents began chanting and shouting, the board reversed an earlier vote to approve the permits.

Also filed under [ General]

State lawmakers deny proposal for new wind energy regulations
March 2, 2011 by Maggie Sams in The Badger Herald

"The purpose of this hearing was not about whether wind is effective but whether this rule by the PSC was reasonable or not. We are trying to balance the needs of industry workers and health-concerned citizens," JCRAR co-chair Rep. Jim Ott, R-Mequon, said. "The health issue from testimony was the determining factor in my vote."

Also filed under [ General]

State wind farm rules suspended; Passes committee by 5-2 vote
March 1, 2011 by Ben Krumholz in FOX 11 News

A legislative committee voted 5-2 to suspend statewide wind farm siting rules. The Public Service Commission's rules were supposed to take effect Tuesday, but the vote of the Joint Committee for Review of Administration Rules stopped the measure.

Also filed under [ Energy Policy]

Panel set to vote on suspension of wind siting rules
March 1, 2011 in Wisconsin Ag Connection

On the very day it was supposed to take effect, a legislative committee will be voting Tuesday on a measure that would suspend a rule package that creates uniform statewide standards for the development of wind farms in Wisconsin.

Also filed under [ Energy Policy]

PSC's wind siting rules expected to be overturned
February 28, 2011 by Thomas Content in Journal Sentinel

The move to suspend the rules comes after legislative leaders did not schedule a vote on Walker's wind siting bill, which would have required wind turbines to be located 1,800 feet from the nearest property line. It was the first bill proposed by the new governor during its special session that didn't pass the state Assembly.

Also filed under [ Energy Policy]

That other Capitol controversy: wind siting tussle returns
February 27, 2011 by Thomas Content in Journal Sentinel

Statewide standards for siting wind power projects adopted last year by the state Public Service Commission may be blocked from taking effect. The state Legislature's Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules has scheduled an executive session for 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in Madison. ...In a statement Monday, senior policy director Keith Reopelle at the environmental group Clean Wisconsin said the committee is expected to vote to suspend the new rule.

Also filed under [ General]

Local communities coming against wind farms
February 24, 2011 by is Hamble and Jeff Holmquist in Pierce County Herald

At its board meeting Thursday, Feb. 10, the town of Troy passed a resolution putting a temporary moratorium in place for the development of wind-energy turbines in and around the town. A four-man committee was organized by town chair Ray Knapp to look into the “what and how” of possible turbine energy generators and to make an ordinance for the town regarding the building, regulation and usage of possible turbines in the future.

Also filed under [ General]

Troy puts moratorium on wind turbines
February 23, 2011 by Chris Hamble in Hudson Star-Observer

At its board meeting Thursday, Feb. 10, the town of Troy passed a resolution putting a temporary moratorium in place for the development of wind-energy turbines in and around the town.

Also filed under [ General]

Town officials recalled in wind turbine controversy
February 17, 2011 in Wisconsin Ag Connection

Several board members in the Town of Forest in Saint Croix County have been ousted by voters this week for approving major wind energy projects. ...The group is concerned about diminished land values and noise pollution from the turbines, which could be up to 500 feet tall.

Also filed under [ General]

Jobs vs. rural way of life debated at wind hearing
February 10, 2011 by Thomas Content in Journal Sentinel

"There are few long term jobs after the turbines are built, and the there will be no other development for years and years, no new homes or farm buildings, no industry, nothing," said Theresa Lark of Holland. "This is not progress. It's stunting the growth and development that our economy needs."

Also filed under [ Energy Policy]