More than a year old already, the controversy about how to regulate - or, in effect, even allow - two large turbine projects in one of the most promising areas in the state for wind energy has been hashed over again and again. ...The point is to come up with a plan that can address the concerns of worried residents and the project developers, without it being winner-take-all. Because if they hold out for winner-take-all, everyone's going to lose.

It's about time to settle the Calumet County wind turbine issue.

More than a year old already, the controversy about how to regulate - or, in effect, even allow - two large turbine projects in one of the most promising areas in the state for wind energy has been hashed over again and again. The major sticking point is how far a turbine should have to be away from a house. The county's current ordinance says 1,000 feet, but a special committee appointed to look into the effects of wind turbines recommended moving it back to 1,800 feet. Turbine project developers say that's too far - that it would kill the project.

Last month, the county board passed a 70-day ban on permits for turbines. Some residents are asking for a one-year ban, to study the effects of a similar turbine project in Fond du Lac County. Really, that's going to only serve to drag out a decision that needs to be made sooner.

Perhaps a common-sense solution here is a compromise - how about 1,500 feet? Or perhaps the project developers can reach some kind of financial arrangement with homeowners in the 1,000-to-1,800-foot range. Maybe even take another month or two - a short, set time frame - to see the effects of the start of the Fond du Lac County project, which will be functional soon.

The point is to come up with a plan that can address the concerns of worried residents and the project developers, without it being winner-take-all.

Because if they hold out for winner-take-all, everyone's going to lose.