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Just like a public listening session in January on a proposed wind farm development, the Monroe County Board Room was standing room only during a Sanitation/Planning & Zoning/Forestry Committee meeting Monday.
Just like a public listening session in January on a proposed wind farm development, the Monroe County Board Room was standing room only during a Sanitation/Planning & Zoning/Forestry Committee meeting Monday.
The crowd spilled out into the hallway during part of the meeting that focused on the proposed amendment to the county’s zoning code to allow development of the Summit Ridge Wind Energy project by the Chicago-based Invenergy.
At the January meeting, proponents wore “Wind Yes” stickers. They were evident again. But opponents of the projects countered with “Wind Education” stickers.
Of the more than 30 people who spoke, some opposed the 43 to 50 turbine project no matter what conditions are attached in the permit process.
Others sought more time for an impact study to determine the possible environmental fallout of the project. Some remain confident with the information they obtained over the past few months from Invenergy and insisted …
The crowd spilled out into the hallway during part of the meeting that focused on the proposed amendment to the county’s zoning code to allow development of the Summit Ridge Wind Energy project by the Chicago-based Invenergy.
At the January meeting, proponents wore “Wind Yes” stickers. They were evident again. But opponents of the projects countered with “Wind Education” stickers.
Of the more than 30 people who spoke, some opposed the 43 to 50 turbine project no matter what conditions are attached in the permit process.
Others sought more time for an impact study to determine the possible environmental fallout of the project. Some remain confident with the information they obtained over the past few months from Invenergy and insisted the project move forward.
Following are some of the public comments. The majority of speakers were ridge residents.
Jim Schroeder signed an easement agreement early in the process with Invenergy. His mind has changed.
“Wind energy has some baggage with it,” Schroeder said, citing concerns that included noise, stray voltage and strobe lights.
Schroeder said an environmental study should have been done before landowners were offered money in easement contracts.
Lyda Lanier said, “We must not focus on deadlines and dollar signs, but on the welfare of the county.”
Mike Bergum encouraged Monroe County to take a lead in the state to promote wind energy.
“We can be proactive or reacting,” Bergum said. “We have a chemical addiction to fossil fuels. A group of people have chosen to take charge of their destiny (by supporting wind energy). Addictions can be treated. The choice is yours, independence or dependence.”
Fern Becher expressed some of the more harsh comments, accusing wind turbine opponents of using “scare tactics” and a “lack of integrity” in the information they provided.
Doug Fries asked for more accountability from Invenergy in case problems arise.
“Liability is not identified,” Fries said, adding that an economic study should be done, at Invenergy’s expense, to ease landowner fears.
Mike Geier, who said he works at Fort McCoy, feels turbines would pose a military training hazard. Cathy Knott, whose husband is retired from Fort McCoy, agreed. Knott said turbines could threaten Fort McCoy’s training mission when the next Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) study is conducted.
County Zoning Administrator Wes Bangsberg said he has contacted Fort McCoy, but base officials declined to comment until turbine permits are submitted to the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA).
Said Craig Giraud, “These towers don’t belong in populated areas, but in industrial parks. They are not like a 60-foot silo. They may be called a wind farm, but there is no correlation to a farm.”
Bill Blackmore, who works with Invenergy to secure land easements, said the firm is not trying to push the ordinance through without fair scrutiny.
He encouraged residents to contact the Kewaunee County assessor’s office to inquire about concerns of declining land values. Kewaunee County is home to two wind farm projects, developed by Madison Gas & Electric.
“Land values were not an issue (in Kewaunee County),” Blackmore said.
Mark Jacobson is a project manager for Invenergy.
“In Dodge and Fond du Lac counties, there was lots of money spent on extra studies and it did not change anyone’s opinions. Those that were against (turbines) were still against them,” Jacobson said.
Like all speakers, Jacobson was limited in his time to express his views, but added that noise and health concerns are not an issue. Jacobson said Invenergy will “work in concert” with Fort McCoy and Volk Field during development of Summit Ridge.
Shirley McCoy lives on the ridge, but is not even certain she would have a turbine placed on her land, still she supports wind energy.
She questioned where the opposition was when Monroe County decided to build its landfill on Junco Road on the ridge. McCoy said she went to Iowa County to check out a wind turbine development between Montfort and Fennimore.
McCoy stood beneath the turbines and said, “the noise was not an issue.”
Bill Weber supports wind energy, but not how the project has ultimately divided neighbors.
“Why can’t both sides sit down and discuss what needs to be done before Invenergy decides to move on,” Weber said.