Midwest Wind Siting

Outline of Best Practices Document, V.2

Covering installations involving large turbines (>100 kW)

1. Introduction: why a best practices document is needed. 

2. Guidelines for developers/project owners - Preconstruction

1. --Understanding the legal context regulating wind energy
2. --Building positive relationships with potential turbine hosts
3. --Building positive relationships with local officials
4. --Building positive relationships with natural resource officials/state permitting officials
5. --Building positive relationships with neighboring property owners
6. --Building community support
7. --Notification guidelines

3. Guidelines for local officials - Preconstruction

1. --Learning about windpower
2. --Site visits
3. --Use of the Internet
4. --Third party experts
5. --Avoiding appearances of impropriety
6. --Effective communications with constituents
7. --Running effective meetings
8. --Application requirements
9. --Recommended provisions in a permit

4. Guidelines installation owners - Construction phase

1. -- Respecting and taking care of the host landowner property
2. -- Respecting and taking care of public property and resources (roads, streams, wetlands)
3. -- Respecting and taking care of neighboring private property

5. Guidelines for host communities – Post-construction

1. -- Reporting procedures/monitoring and oversight

6. Guidelines for installation owners – Postconstruction

1. -- Responses to complaints
2. -- Wildlife studies
3. -- Community engagement (events, etc.)
4. -- Project-specific public education (kiosks, reports)
5. -- Repairs/decommissioning

 

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Articles published in 2011 on windpower development
in five midwestern states

Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin

Additional late-breaking stories can be found at Midwest Energy News

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Wind Articles - Iowa

 

 

• Spirit Lake, IA, man dies after falling from wind turbine
  August 24, 2011
  http://www.ktiv.com/story/15319031/spirit-lake-ia-man-dies-after-falling-from-wind-turbine

 

• Branstad signs wind turbine, gets an earful from a concerned citizen
  August 13, 2011
  http://caucuses.desmoinesregister.com/2011/08/13/brandstad-signs-wind-turbine-gets-an-earful-from-a-concerned-citizen/

 

• Board OKs wind farm ordinance (Johnson County)
  August 11, 2011
  http://www.press-citizen.com/article/20110812/NEWS01/108120308/Board-OKs-wind-farm-ordinance

 

• Iowa Governor Breaks Ground on New Wind Farm
  August 8, 2011
  http://www.kimt.com/content/localnews/story/IA-Governor-Breaks-Ground-on-New-Wind-Farm/GxVJFOldXkqSl3bbcAX3IQ.cspx

 

• Iowa hits 20 percent wind threshold
  August 5, 2011
  http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2011/08/05/iowa-hits-20-percent-wind-threshold/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+GreenFields+%28Green+Fields+Blog%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

 

• The Vienna Project; New wind farm in the works near Gladbrook
  August 4, 2011
  http://www.timesrepublican.com/page/content.detail/id/541798/The-Vienna-Project--New-wind-farm-in-the-works-near-Gladbrook.html

 

• Alliant to build Iowa wind farm
  August 4, 2011
  http://www.jsonline.com/business/126814803.html

 

• Plans for wind energy storage near Dallas Center scrapped
  July 28, 2011
  http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20110728/BUSINESS/110728020/1001/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+desmoinesregister/News+%28DesMoinesRegister.com+-+NEWS%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

 

• Iowa poised to triple wind energy production
  June 2, 2011
  http://qctimes.com/news/local/article_183c9446-8d39-11e0-8835-001cc4c03286.html

 

• Iowa leads all states in use of wind energy
  April 13, 2011
   http://renewwisconsinblog.org/2011/04/13/iowa-leads-all-states-in-use-of-wind-energy/
  (Article originally appeared in the Des Moines Register)

 

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Wind Energy Articles – Minnesota - 2011

• Big Blue receives PUC siting permit
  Published August 21, 2011
  http://www.faribaultcountyregister.com/page/content.detail/id/503167.html

 

• Waiting for wind permit, Goodhue County explores options
  Published August 04, 2011
  http://www.republican-eagle.com/event/article/id/75744/

• Goodhue County wind project awaits shutdown-delayed paperwork
  August 3, 2011
  http://postbulletin.com/news/stories/display.php?id=1462890

 

• Goodhue County residents cool to wind developer’s new offer
  August 2, 2011
  http://www.midwestenergynews.com/2011/08/02/goodhue-county-residents-cool-to-wind-developers-new-offer/

• Bald eagles could thwart Minnesota wind farm
  July 25, 2011
  http://www.startribune.com/local/126095778.html?page=all&prepage=1&c=y#continue

• Editorial: Time to overhaul Minnesota’s wind farm laws
  July 18, 2011
  Editorial already archived; missing from Rochester Post-Bulletin site

• Wind farms and the density question
  June 30, 2011
  http://www.midwestenergynews.com/2011/06/30/wind-farms-and-the-density-question/

• Minnesota regulators approve Goodhue wind permit
  June 30, 2011
  http://www.midwestenergynews.com/2011/06/30/minnesota-goodhue-wind-farm-hearin/

• Minnesota wind farm drama may be entering final act
  June 28, 2011
  http://www.midwestenergynews.com/2011/06/28/minnesota-wind-farm-drama-may-be-entering-final-act/

 

• Judge recommends county wind ordinance not be applied to Goodhue Wind project
  April 30, 2011
  Article already archived; missing from Red Wing Republican Eagle site

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Wind Energy Articles – Ohio - 2011

 

• Blue Creek Wind Project - Jump Started by Public Policy - Van Wert & Paulding County, Ohio (5.35MB pdf)
  Project Profile Reprinted from WIND TODAY Fourth Quarter 2011
  "Instead of being named Blue Creek, Ohio's first wind farm could be named Senate Bill 232 and it would still be just as appropriate. A change in state tax policy made all the difference, and when it was passed and signed into law in 2010, it jump-started the Blue Creek Wind Farm that brought a new industry, jobs, education, and an economic resurgence to northwestern Ohio."

 

• Blade gets splintered during ferocious storm
   August 26, 2011
  http://starbeacon.com/local/x890680370/Blade-gets-splintered-during-ferocious-storm

 

• Hardin wind farm pressing ahead
  August 26, 2011
  http://www.istockanalyst.com/business/news/5380966/hardin-wind-farm-pressing-ahead#

 

• Trustees updated on next wind farm project
  August 19, 2011
  http://www.timesbulletin.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=4&ArticleID=168136

 

• Wind farm plan blows into county
  August 16, 2011
  http://www.istockanalyst.com/business/news/5360950/wind-farm-plan-blows-into-county

 

• Wind farm developers, county discuss potential road damage
  August 13, 2011
   http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/article/20110813/NEWS01/108130313/1002/rss01

 

• Black Fork Wind project developers allay road concerns
  August 11, 2011
  http://www.bucyrustelegraphforum.com/article/20110811/NEWS01/108110305/Developers-allay-road-concerns-Black-Fork-Wind-project?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE

 

• Turbine project awaits hearing
  August 6, 2011
  http://www.bucyrustelegraphforum.com/article/20110806/NEWS01/108060307/Turbine-project-awaits-hearing?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE

 

• Kill rates concern retired engineer
  August 5, 2011
  http://www.thewhig.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3244981

 

• Reward offered in crane arson case
  July 30, 2011
  http://www.timesbulletin.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=4&ArticleID=167762

 

• County engineer's office voices concerns over wind farm construction
  July 26, 2011
  http://www.adaherald.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=5&ArticleID=106110&TM=37406.92

 

• Stoneco happy with local construction boom
  July 19, 2011 - Times Bulletin

 

• Wind Projects In Ohio Clear Federal Hurdle
  July 18, 2011 - North American Windpower

 

• Wind turbine farm coming to Putnam County
  July 16, 2011 - Limo, Ohio

 

• Riga Township wind turbine ordinance approved
  July 7, 2011 - Lenconnect
  

 

• Riga Township wind turbine meeting postponed
  July 1, 2011- Lenconnect
  

 

• Richland County Commissioners Want Wind Farm to Repair Roads
  June 24, 2011 - Zanesville Times Recorder

 

• In Your Corner: Wind Farm Debate Heats Up
  June 17, 2011 - Indiana News Center

 

• Future of wind turbines discussed during Mason Fiscal Court
  June 14, 2011- Maysville Online
  

 

• Lincoln Electric installs wind turbine made by Kenersys Group of Germany
  June 11, 2011
  http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2011/06/post_74.html

 

• Sylvania Twp could see wind turbines in their backyard
  June 9, 2011 - ABC Local

 

• Ohio wind turbines spark mixed reaction
  May 11, 2011
  

 

• Lake Erie wind power coalition seeks helping hand from Ohio Legislature
  May 4, 2011
  

 

• Horizon's Timber Road II Creates Jobs, Economic Growth
  March 23, 2011

 

• Horizon Wind Energy Invests Approximately $175 Million in Paulding County, Ohio
  March 22, 2011 - Ohio News
  

 

• Indiana's wind farm buildout grinding to a halt
  March 18, 2011- The Star Press

 

• Ogden Township deals with windy problem
  March 15, 2011-Fox Toledo

 

• Ohio's stalled energy projects cost jobs, study finds
  March 10, 2011 - Ohio News

 

• Wind farm plan gives way to Mercer County's historic churches
  March 7, 2011-Daytona Daily News

 

• Iberdrola Renewables, FirstEnergy Sign Agreement for Largest Ohio Wind Project
  February 9, 2011 - Sustainable Business

 

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Wind Articles - Michigan

 

 

• Riga Twp. recall effort fails; nearby community ousts 2
  August 3, 2011
  http://www.toledoblade.com/Politics/2011/08/03/Riga-Twp-recall-effort-fails-nearby-community-ousts-2.html

 

• Two townships prepare to vote on recalls
  August 1, 2011
  http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2011/08/01/2-townships-prepare-to-vote-on-recalls.html

 

• Power struggle in Michigan over wind farms is growing
  July 23, 2011
  http://www.freep.com/article/20110723/BUSINESS06/107230344/1002/business

 

• New Riga ordinance doesn't leave space for divisive wind turbines
  July 9, 2011
  http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2011/07/09/New-Riga-ordinance-doesn-t-leave-space-for-divisive-wind-turbines-2.html

 

• Riga Township turbine project in jeopardy
  July 8, 2011
  http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2011/07/08/Riga-Township-turbine-project-in-jeopardy.html

 

• Mason County planners unanimously approve Consumers wind farm plan
  July 7, 2011
  http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2011/07/mason_county_planners_unanimou.html

 

• Michigan's largest wind farm starting to take shape
  July 7, 2011
  http://www.freep.com/article/20110710/BUSINESS06/107100429/1002/business

 

• Riga Wind Ordinance Approved
  July 7, 2011
  http://www.lenconnect.com/features/x1722647663/Riga-wind-ordinance-approved

 

• Riga Township wind turbine meeting postponed
  July 1, 2011
  Riga-Township-wind-turbine-meeting-postponed

 

• Wind Farms and the Density Question
  June 30, 2011
  http://www.midwestenergynews.com/2011/06/30/wind-farms-and-the-density-question/

 

• Another Study: Great Lakes offshore Wind is OK
  June 21, 2011
  http://www.midwestenergynews.com/2011/06/21/another-study-great-lakes-offshore-wind-is-still-ok/

 

• Huron County Commissioners 'cautiously optimistic' about DTE Energy's $225 million wind farm project
  April 13, 2011
  http://www.mlive.com/news/bay-city/index.ssf/2011/04/site_announced_for_dte_energys.html

 

• Michigan County Welcomes Wind Farm with Open Arms
  March 22, 2011
  http://www.midwestenergynews.com/2011/03/22/michigan-county-welcomes-wind-farm-with-open-arms/

 

• Townships look to regulate wind turbines on the way
  March 8, 2011
  

  http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2011/03/08/Townships-look-to-regulate-wind-turbines-on-the-way.html

 

• Franz's Windpower Critique Faces a Fact Check
  March 3, 2011
  http://www.mlui.org/landwater/fullarticle.asp?fileid=17476

 

• Scientists See No Basis for Turbine 'Infrasound' Claims
  January 30, 2011
  http://www.mlui.org/landwater/fullarticle.asp?fileid=17466

 

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Wind Articles - Wisconsin

 

 

• State honors Michels Corp. [wind farm contractor] for adding new jobs
  July 27, 2011
  http://renewwisconsinblog.org/2011/07/27/state-honors-michels-corp-contractor-for-wind-project-construction/ (Article originally appeared in the Fond du Lac Reporter)

 

• New "green" rules: Creating jobs or making mess of environment?
  June 26, 2011
  http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_d3e8593e-d1c8-5fc4-9e8e-1f6a627574a3.html

 

• Written on the wind: Glacier Hills open house offers up-close look at project
  June 2, 2011
  http://www.wiscnews.com/portagedailyregister/news/local/article_cb4ec9ec-8cd4-11e0-bbac-001cc4c002e0.html

 

• Alliant won't pursue Green Lake wind farm, takes charge
  May 5, 2011
  http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/business/121332214.html

 

• Poll finds strong support for wind energy in Wisconsin April 22, 2011
  http://renewwisconsinblog.org/2011/04/22/wis-poll-finds-strong-support-for-wind-energy/ (Article originally appeared in the Chicago Tribune)

 

• Glenmore town board approves turbines
  March 16, 2011
  http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/Glenmore-town-board-approves-turbines

 

• Glenmore Town Board delays wind turbine decision
  March 8, 2011
  http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110308/GPG0101/103080531/Glenmore-Town-Board-postpones-wind-turbine-decision?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|GPG-News

 

• Development officials upset with panel's wind siting action
  March 2, 2011
  

  http://renewwisconsinblog.org/2011/03/02/development-officials-upset-with-panels-wind-siting-action/(Article originally appeared in the Dubuque Telegraph Herald)

 

• Wind farm bill meets stiff resistance
  February 5, 2011
  http://www.jsonline.com/business/115336489.html

 

• Legislature won't take up Walker's wind-siting bill
  February 4, 2011
  http://www.jsonline.com/business/115338539.html

 

• Walker bill puts $500 million in wind turbine investment at risk
  January 15, 2011
  http://www.jsonline.com/business/113698144.html

 

• Walker's wind break (Opinion)
  January 11, 2011
  http://www.jsonline.com/news/opinion/114237439.html

 

• Walker bill eyes big setbacks for wind turbines
  January 11, 2011
  http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/business/113309724.html

 

 

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