Turbines push Madison to green ceiling; Safety and aesthetics yield cautious approach

Madison promotes itself as a green leader, but the city might draw the line when it comes to placement of wind turbines and solar panels.

An ordinance moving through various city committees would bring Madison's renewable energy standards up to par with state law. But if the proposal wins approval, it likely won't look like the state's version.

"I'm not opposed to alternative energy or looking at options," said Alderwoman Judy Compton. "But if repercussions exist, it's our job to protect this city's residents."

For example, state law essentially requires safety, productivity and cost-effectiveness when it comes to wind turbines, but Compton said Madison needs to worry about more than that.

"We have to consider covenants and restrictions, historic districts and different architectural factors," she said. "We have different zoning codes that need to be figured out. We're dealing with the human factor here."

It might not mirror recent fights in the town of Magnolia or Trempealeau County over proposed wind farms, but even singular turbines might not get easy approval in Madison.

Compton said she worries there's little in the ordinance to stop residents from building turbines, however tall, in their front or back yards.

"We didn't believe the proposal should pass as it originally stood," said Todd Barnett, a member of the city's Urban Design Commission. "You can't just ignore the visual or aesthetic impact it could have on a community."

For a city that trumpets and encourages renewable energy practices, it's an interesting problem to have, said Steve Hiniker, executive director of 1000 Friends of Wisconsin.

"The question is: What is the balance?" he said. "I don't know it. If the city's going to permit turbines or solar panels, then I think it should be regulated. You have to figure out the ramifications and what the real gains of it are."

Hiniker said it's good that Madison is taking a closer look at the issue, and Jennifer Feyerherm, associate Midwest director for the Sierra Club, also said Madison is moving in the right direction in talking about the issue.

"But technology changes quickly," she said. "I know a guy that put little turbines on the side of his building to harvest updrafts. There are all sorts of different ways to harness energy."

Compton said she remains concerned about the fact that, to harness air currents, turbines must stand at least 100 feet.

"You worry about it falling over," she said. "You worry about the noise, and you worry about the fact that we might end up looking like a pin cushion."

Even if the city's ordinance ends up affecting only a few residents who put turbines on their properties, Compton said even something that seems small can get out of hand quickly.

"Whether it's 10 turbines or 10,000, there needs to be control," she said. "I'd hate to see 200 built and then the city realizes, ‘Gee, we should've done something else instead.'"