Local Rules for Turbines- U.S.

from Maureen Daly, Milwaukee Examiner

Local rules for residential wind turbine permits is becoming a concern
July 2, 12:34 PM
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BWC Excel 10kW, Bergey WindpowerAs in many other states, the state of Wisconsin is looking to increase wind energy. Up until recently, much of the discussion has revolved around placement of large wind farms and their proximity to residential areas. There is considerable interest at the state level in coming up with a common standard for the entire state so that wind power developers have a much easier time getting their projects permitted across county lines.

Federal and state tax incentives have now helped stoke interest in smaller turbines that can work in residential applications. Manufacturers are creating systems that are more and more affordable offering a quicker return on investment. Small turbine systems can cost anywhere from $6,000 to $20,000. A word of caution to those anxious to go green and embrace wind power: do your homework.

To get the most energy bang for your buck, a wind turbine has to be between 80 to 120 feet tall. Obviously not everyone living on a one to two acre lot would like to see a neighbor install a huge tower next door. There are no local ordinances in the Milwaukee area on wind turbines to regulate size, location, power production or noise for that matter. Yet.

Menomonee Falls is one of the first Milwaukee area communities to try to come up with some zoning laws that make sense. Village staff suggested a 60-ft limit for tower height, which typically would make the turbine too low to be effective. Other ways to limit residential systems is to restrict turbine blade length or cap kilowatt generation.

Bumping up against vague local zoning restrictions is becoming common all across the country as early adopters of wind energy find plenty of wind turbines available for sale. For example a couple in Charlottesville, VA, with a home ideally located atop a wind swept hill found their county’s zoning regulations made it impossible for them to install it.

Balancing competing interests is not easy task. Finding the right balance to allow residential systems in residential areas without damaging the rural character of the area may be impossible in some locations. With Menomonee Falls taking the first step, residents of greater Milwaukee may expect more localities to review their ordinances.