Ordinance First!

from jconline

Carroll adopts rules for wind energy
November 17, 2009

Twitter The Carroll County Commissioners approved an ordinance Monday detailing rules and regulations for commercial wind energy developers.

The ordinance specifies what is expected of companies that want to install wind turbines in the county to generate energy.

Setbacks, height restrictions, and pre-construction requirements, such as government clearances for historic structures and environmental issues, are part of the county's first ordinance about wind energy.

The ordinance, which was based on White County's wind power rules, also requires financial proof for a decommissioning plan at the end of a lease agreement.

Miriam Robeson, a volunteer with the Carroll County Zoning Steering Committee who helped write and research the ordinance, said Carroll County does not have turbines, but interest in building them may well occur.

Already, Benton County has more than 300 wind turbines operated by two companies. Last month 121 turbines began generating electricity at Meadow Lake Wind Farm in White County.

"If someone is interested in our county, they see that we are already to go," Robeson said. "We are right in the wind corridor."

The commissioners unanimously approved the ordinance at their regular meeting in Delphi.

To read the full ordinance, go to www.carroll countyzoning.wordpress.com

-- Eric Weddle/eweddle@jconline.com