In March, the Federal Aviation Administration asked that construction of the Forward Wind Energy Center be delayed until after the Department of Defense study is completed because the wind farm would be within line-of-sight of an Air Force radar in Horicon. Palmer said he is still waiting to hear the results of the study, which was expected to be completed in May.
In March, the Federal Aviation Administration asked that construction of the Forward Wind Energy Center be delayed until after the Department of Defense study is completed because the wind farm would be within line-of-sight of an Air Force radar in Horicon. Palmer said he is still waiting to hear the results of the study, which was expected to be completed in May.
Forward Wind Energy Center advocates continue to wait and hope potential roadblocks for developing the 133-turbine wind farm will blow over.
"We continue to be committed to building this project," said Forward Wind Energy spokesman Neil Palmer. "Since we began work on this project, both the national energy policy and state energy policies have been approved. Both of them have a very strong alliance with increasing wind power in this country. We're trying to be a part of that."
Invenergy LLC, the developer of Forward Wind Energy Center, is currently awaiting the results of a U.S. Department of Defense study analyzing the affects wind turbines have on military radars.
In March, the Federal Aviation Administration asked that …
... more [truncated due to possible copyright]Forward Wind Energy Center advocates continue to wait and hope potential roadblocks for developing the 133-turbine wind farm will blow over.
"We continue to be committed to building this project," said Forward Wind Energy spokesman Neil Palmer. "Since we began work on this project, both the national energy policy and state energy policies have been approved. Both of them have a very strong alliance with increasing wind power in this country. We're trying to be a part of that."
Invenergy LLC, the developer of Forward Wind Energy Center, is currently awaiting the results of a U.S. Department of Defense study analyzing the affects wind turbines have on military radars.
In March, the Federal Aviation Administration asked that construction of the Forward Wind Energy Center be delayed until after the Department of Defense study is completed because the wind farm would be within line-of-sight of an Air Force radar in Horicon.
Palmer said he is still waiting to hear the results of the study, which was expected to be completed in May.
"We continue to wait for a definitive description of concern or problem that the FAA or Air Force identifies and then of course we stand ready to work with them to resolve an issue if one exists," Palmer said.
He said wind turbines may be moved to help solve potential problems, but that a change in how the radar is operated may also solve the problem.
"There's been discussion of this issue arising at other locations around the world and that the fix was simply on the radar side not on the wind installation side," said Palmer.
He said he expects the project to go forward eventually and calls the delay "disappointing." Palmer said "some of the happiest news we could get" will come when a construction date is set.
Legislative push
In recent weeks, several state and national politicians have pushed for completion of the DOD study.
"The response from a variety of elected officials has been very positive and very supportive," Palmer said. "Obviously, we think that can only help focus attention on this issue and help leap to a resolution."
U.S. Senators Russ Feingold and Herb Kohl of Wisconsin sent letters to the DOD and FAA with four other U.S. senators.
"Indiscriminately halting all wind power projects undermines our efforts to advance clean, alternative sources of energy," Feingold said in a June 2 news release. "I hope the administration will offer solutions to any potential concerns it may have with wind energy facilities because I am confident that Americans, as innovative as we are, don't have to choose between wind power and radar installations."
Wisconsin Democrats Reps. Tammy Baldwin and Ron Kind also sent letters with 20 other members of Congress questioning the delay.
"As energy costs rise dramatically, improving our supply of renewable fuel is more important than ever," Baldwin said in a June 14 news release. "I would hope that our federal agencies could work together to protect our national security while adopting an efficient, economical and environmentally friendly energy policy."
Gov. Jim Doyle issued statements encouraging the DOD to complete its study as well.
Appeal
The Horicon Marsh Systems Advocates organization is appealing the March 23 ruling of the Dodge County Circuit Court that affirmed Public Service Commission of Wisconsin approval of construction of the wind farm.
"As I understand, the appeals court has not yet set a calendar," he said. "How that will move forward and what timeframe there will be, we just don't know yet."
Curt Kindschuh of the Horicon Marsh Systems Advocates said the appeal was filed on May 3. He said the organization's attorney expects it to be between four and six months before the case appears in court.
Kindschuh said the group remains "unified and strong" and expects the court battle to "drag out for some time."
He said that aside from the appeal, the group is not as busy as it has been in the past.
"Things are fairly quiet right now," Kindschuh said.