Wisconsin court limits local wind turbine regulations
Greenbay Press Gazette|Associated Press|July 15, 2009
A Wisconsin appeals court is limiting the restrictions that local municipalities can place on the installation of wind turbines. The District 2 Court of Appeals says state law promotes alternative energy sources such as wind energy and discourages local policies that arbitrarily limit them.
A Wisconsin appeals court is limiting the restrictions that local municipalities can place on the installation of wind turbines. The District 2 Court of Appeals says state law promotes alternative energy sources such as wind energy and discourages local policies that arbitrarily limit them.
MADISON - A Wisconsin appeals court is limiting the restrictions that local municipalities can place on the installation of wind turbines.
The District 2 Court of Appeals says state law promotes alternative energy sources such as wind energy and discourages local policies that arbitrarily limit them.
The court says localities can restrict wind energy systems only when necessary to protect public health or where the regulations do not impact a system's cost or efficiency.
The ruling strikes down a Calumet County ordinance that set minimum height, noise and setback requirements for wind turbines.
The court says localities cannot adopt uniform restrictions and must consider each project on a case-by-case basis.