Public outcry opposing wind turbines in southwest Wisconsin might influence the state Public Service Commission (PSC), about 300 people heard at a listening session in Mineral Point Saturday.
“The vast majority of people in the Driftless area want nothing to do with it,” said Tim Stracka, supervisor for the town of Mineral Point, which sponsored the session.
The town, which will intervene in the case, had a station to help people make comments on the PSC docket.
Pattern Energy is moving toward applying to the PSC for approval of the proposed project that includes 51 turbines in central and southern Iowa County and northern Lafayette County.
The town of Mineral Point has 21 potential locations for the turbines, which will be nearly 700 feet tall. The town of Waldwick could have up to 16 turbines.
Opponents say the turbines will be visible from 40 miles away. They cite potential health and environ- mental concerns for humans and animals from the noise, vibrations and flickering.
Pattern Energy argues the Upland Winds project will create jobs and diversify energy supply.
Several speakers said local control and input on windmill and solar panel projects should be nonpartisan.
“I am willing to work with anyone willing to restore local control,” said Rebekah Neal, of rural Dodgeville. “My home is in danger. It is wrong for neighbors to do something that devalues their neighbor’s home. We are facing a 30 percent loss of property value and possible contamination of our well water.”
Town Chairman Bob Oberhauser said “whether you are a Democrat or a Republican, we need to get somebody in office that is on our side. Be a one-issue voter this time.”
A bill to require local input into wind and solar projects before PSC approval had a public hearing last month but died at the end of the Legislative session. Sen. Howard Marklein, R-Spring Green, who did not attend the meeting, has said he will reintroduce the bill.
U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany of Minocqua, a Republican candidate for governor, said if elected, he would sign the bill.
He said taking farmland out of production for wind turbines is “very bad public policy. There will be a different attitude with the people I name to the PSC. Ditto with the Department of Natural Resources. We will get a new PSC with new members that respect local control.”
State Rep. Travis Tranel (R- Cuba City) said wind and solar are “intermittent power” sources that depend on weather and will not meet future energy needs.
“The utilities in this state are so powerful, it really doesn’t matter if there is a Republican or Democratic governor,” he said. “In Wisconsin, we have a monopoly when it comes to generating power. In exchange for the monopoly, we were supposed to regulate them.”