Setbacks, disclosure rules, voter approval part of failed state laws The breeze has been taken out of the sails of two Indiana General Assembly bills aiming to regulate wind energy.

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The complaint refers to Cass County's wind energy conversion systems ordinance, which requires wind turbines to be at least 1,000 feet from homes. That means no homes can be constructed within 1,000 feet of wind turbines, which the complaint states "authorizes the taking of private property without compensation being paid."

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Saunders said this legislation would require county officials or family members of county officials with financial interests in wind-powered devices in their county to recuse themselves from any official proceedings on that subject.

Zoning/Planning Indiana

Experts disagree about whether the introduction of wind turbines to an area has any impact on property values.

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An Ohio man fighting a wind project in his home county shared his experiences and advice Thursday night with residents of Cass County, where a similar project is proposed.

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Are wind turbines bad for you? Do they keep people up at night? Are they annoying? Do they negatively impact health? Are they dangerous? These questions are on Cass County residents’ minds as a company prepares to bring as many as 150 wind turbines to Adams, Bethlehem, Boone and Harrison townships in the northern part of the county along with neighboring Miami County.

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Nearby residents argue the turbines are a health hazard and will drive down property values. Opponents formed a group called No Wind Farm Montgomery County to speak out against the projects.

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Rodgers said that because of the Freedom of Information Act, “the people now are learning what it is you’re doing behind closed doors, what it is you’re doing with wind energy companies and what kind of horrible advice your trusted advisors are giving you.”

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A Fulton County Area Plan Commission tie vote Monday means county commissioners’ decision to prohibit commercial wind energy conversion systems in the unincorporated area of the county will go into effect.

Zoning/Planning Indiana

I live with the people who are adversely affected by industrial wind turbines and deeply regret having signed the documents enabling the construction of the wind farm. This is why I am sharing my experience ... so that you will not have to regret being a part of facilitating something that is a "windfall" to a few, but a curse to many. 

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Hunt said his biggest issue with the ordinance is the 1,000-foot setback of turbines from residential dwellings. Under that rule, landowners could not build a home within 1,000 feet of a turbine, even if the tower wasn’t on their property.

Zoning/Planning Indiana

McShirley claimed that someone in the local government ordered that the final version of the plan support wind energy development in Henry County. McShirley told the Henry County Council that a change ...makes the 168-page document “a $100,000 rubber stamp for pro-IWT (industrial wind turbine) interests.”

Zoning/Planning Indiana

​Joan Null, who said she was not part of Fulton County’s fight but has been involved in a number of wind ordinance battles across the state, made a recommendation to commissioners. “Please don’t leave yourself open … go ahead and make a declaration within your zoning ordinance that large WECS systems are not a permitted use in any zoning classification,” she said. “Close that door. Don’t leave it open for the next developer.”

Zoning/Planning Indiana

Fulton County Commissioners received applause, cheers and a standing ovation from many of those who packed a building at the county's fairgrounds Monday night after voting down measures that would have paved the way for proposed wind turbines.

Zoning/Planning Indiana

But some Miami County residents are pushing back against the proposal, saying the project would mar the landscape and impede landowners near the turbines from building on their property. A group of around 10 people spoke out Monday during a regular meeting of the Miami County Board of Commissioners.

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The Henry County Commissioners continued the process of reviewing the county’s Wind Energy Conversion System (WECS) ordinance during a specially-called meeting Thursday night at the W.G. Smith Building in Memorial Park. It was the third such meeting held in recent weeks.

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The Rush County Board of Zoning Appeals found itself again this week saying no to the developer of a projected wind farm project in the area.

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A wind farm project an energy firm is considering could mean as many as 150 wind turbines coming to northern Cass County.

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People in Fulton County are divided about are divided about possible wind farms coming to town. Thursday night county commissioners held a public meeting to learn about the details of the plans. RES, a renewable energy company, is the company being considered to bring the turbines to town. They're working on projects in Miami and Cass Counties as well.

General Indiana

As a Tipton County property owner, I did extensive research on the possible effects of having Industrial Wind Turbines. Our county was the first to attempt to have the turbines located close to residential homes and communities. Recently, I read Wind Watch online regarding Fulton, Miami, and Cass counties being interested in having a windfarm. I would like to pass along some findings of over 1,000 hours of research regarding this situation.

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