« 8/20/10 Double Feature: Pictures of last month's Invenergy wind turbine blade failures AND Who's fueling the myth of the 'well funded anti-wind organization'? | Main | 8/19/10 Wind farms and wildlife, What to expect when you're expecting wind farm construction, and what's the big deal about shadow flicker? AND Wisconsin in two years time: A look at what wind siting reform has done to the state of Maine »

8/19/10 PSC commissioners discuss wind siting rules.

At an open meeting held Thursday at the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, commissioners discussed the the text of the proposed wind siting rule.

DOWNLOAD THE PROPOSED RULE BY CLICKING HERE

Commissioner Lauren Azar suggested a setback of 2200 feet from homes unless a developer can prove  a turbine could be sited closer to a residence and still meet noise and shadow flicker standards. 

She said the setback distance was based on information from PSC staff which indicated a 45dbA noise standard would be met at that distance.

However, Commissioner Azar also noted that the World Health Organization recommends 40 dbA as a nighttime noise standard, and indicated was the noise limit she preferred.

Residents under contract with developers could waive all standards and have turbines placed as close as 1.1 times the turbine height to their homes.

Chairman Callisto and Commissioner Meyer didn't offer their immediate opinions on Azar's suggestions.

Continued discussion of wind siting rules is scheduled for Monday.

PrintView Printer Friendly Version

EmailEmail Article to Friend