Mailbag: Jim Writes: Re Wind Turbine Siting--SB 544; AB899

Comments on SB 544 and AB 899. After sitting through 15 Hr. of testimony there are a couple of things that never came up. The energy co’s, the PSC, environmentalists, and wind developers were well represented at both hearings. Not one of these groups gave any testimony on capacity factor or actual production. The reason is they are embarrassed. One of the developers stated they expected to achieve a 33% to 35% capacity factor. I can tell you this would be wind power generation in HEAVEN not in Wisconsin. The Glenmore facility has never gotten out of the low 20% for production.
The Glenmore wind facility near Green Bay, WI. Was the flag ship for WI. Gov. Thompson cut the ribbon the turbines spun up and we were living life large in WI. The first thing that happened was excessive noise from the blades. The developer had to install vortex destroyers on the blades to quiet them down. The developers that are again working that area are offering good neighbor contracts to people 1 mile from the proposed area. What does that tell you?


The other interesting thing was no one asked the question why would anyone want to force people to have a turbine 1000’ from their home? The answer is simple. They need to tap into the transmission lines. The transmission lines are put in to provide power to developments and are upgraded for people who are already there. The developers are not willing to spend one nickel of their own money for these lines so they must put the turbines in close to people. There is no Gov. fluff to compensate them. If you drive out in the country and look around you would see that there is a lot of places that could accommodate turbines and not bother anyone.


If the state lawmakers want to do something for wind development they should scrap AB 899 / SB 544 in favor of something that will pay or at least subsidize the construction of the transmission lines needed to get the power back to the power grid. They should not become the over protective mother for the wind developers. The developers caused this problem and the state should make them go back to the Towns and make it right.


The developers condescending and rude remarks about Towns not being able to figure out this complex issue is crazy. It does show the level of arrogance and disrespect that they take with them when they do finally show up at a Town meeting. They just can’t figure out why they are not greeted with open arms. Then they run to Madison and say Sen. Plale and Rep. Montgomery, the Towns won’t let us do what we want so you make them do it.

4:30 PM