With debates raging throughout Fayette, Rush and Henry counties regarding slated wind farm projects in the area, a state representative is pushing for legislation which would give residents more of a voice concerning such issues.

Energy Policy Indiana

Seven years ago, a company came to Fayette County wanting to develop a Commercial Wind Farm in Posey and Fairview Townships. They claim they were “invited” by the people of Fayette County. There are a lot of farmers and homeowners in Fairview and Posey Township who would like to “un-invite” them and send them back where they cam from – except it’s difficult to tell exactly where they came from.

General Indiana

The Area Plan Commission voted unanimously Tuesday night to reject all 11 objections made by the Clinton County Commissioners regarding the LUPAC/Wind Ordinance before a packed Circuit Court Courtroom on the third floor of the Clinton County Courthouse.

Zoning/Planning Indiana

Not only were those special exception applications denied by the BZA, they added their own requirements for setback distance and turbine height for future special exception applications NextEra might submit. The BZA announced that any wind turbines constructed by NextEra, in Rush County, must adhere to a 2,640-foot setback from non-participating landowners, in addition to be 200 feet or less in height.

Zoning/Planning Indiana

“I make a motion that we accept the application if setbacks are set back moved to 2,640 feet from and property line and the height restricted to 200 foot for turbines,” Steve King said. Dohn Green seconded the motion. "If they are set at 2,640 feet, it will reduce the flicker, protect human health, property value and sound/vibrations," King said. "The lower height is less visually intrusive. I think the trees would help screen them.”

Zoning/Planning Indiana

There were a total of 11 (eleven) amendments made to the existing Area Plan Wind Ordinance committee verbiage.

Zoning/Planning Indiana

Dozens of residents came to a Wednesday night county commissioner’s meeting thinking they still had one more chance to sway county commissioners to vote “no” to Apex Clean Energy and its wind turbines. But they soon found out their input and a vote by the commissioners weren’t need all.

General Indiana

The fate of two proposed wind projects, at least in Rush County – the Flat Rock Wind Project led by Apex Clean Energy, and the West Fork Wind Energy Center, led by NextEra Energy Resources – could very well be determined in the next month, beginning this very week.

Legal Zoning/Planning Indiana

Although the exemption passed, Etchison said the debate is not over and there is still recourse for those opposed to the turbines. "The system allows for an appeal," he said. "This is surely not over."

Zoning/Planning Indiana

On Monday night the Warren County Board of Zoning Appeals approved an exemption allowing development plans for Jordan Creek Wind Farm to progress in the county.

General Indiana

The parties’ contract anticipated who is liable when transmission facilities are not available. “Duke is to pay for power not taken,” Easterbrook wrote. “Duke could build its own transmission lines or buy extra capacity from NIPSCO [a grid owner] or some other firm.”

Legal Indiana

There’s been some fuss recently, among some of the local population, regarding a couple of recent decisions made – and actions taken – by the Fayette County Board of Commissioners.

General Indiana

Wayne County residents will have an opportunity to give their opinion of wind farms during a special meeting of the Wayne County Advisory Plan Commission next week.

Zoning/Planning Indiana

HENRY COUNTY, Ind. -- There are plans for more than 100 wind turbines to be built in the countryside of Henry County, and opponents of the plans aren't happy.

Zoning/Planning Indiana

The Hagerstown Town Council plans to enact a zoning change that will effectively ban industrial-sized wind turbines in an area referred to as the two-mile fringe, council members told a room full of area residents Monday. The two-mile fringe is an area outside of town where town development and zoning standards apply.

Zoning/Planning Indiana

The Hagerstown Town Council plans to enact a zoning change that will effectively ban industrial-sized wind turbines in an area referred to as the two-mile fringe, council members told a room full of area residents Monday. The two-mile fringe is an area outside of town where town development and zoning standards apply.

Zoning/Planning Indiana

The Rush County Board of Zoning Appeals Wednesday night, in front of an audience of roughly 100 people at the Laughlin Auditorium in Rushville High School, moved to table its vote on the special exception permits submitted by NextEra Energy Resources.

Zoning/Planning Indiana

Discussion of Jordan Creek Wind Farm will continue on to another meeting of the Warren County Board of Zoning Appeals, scheduled for Nov. 28 ...The developer — Orion Renewable Energy Group — is seeking a special exception required by the county's zoning rules to develop a wind farm.

General Indiana

"I want what is best for us, and I don’t like making comment about what others do on their own land," Etchison wrote in an email. "But when they plant a forest of 500-foot towers with rotating tops in my world, and when it’s a precarious endeavor only held up by a tax credit, then they have closely involved me and my land."

Impact on People Indiana

The reasons for the extension request, Nextera’s attorney Mary Solada told council Tuesday night – in front of a packed council chambers – is due to the project still needing a purchaser for the power which the project would create, in addition to complications in Rush County which prevented Nextera from filing their zoning application until just recently.

Taxes & Subsidies Indiana