FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sen. Jeff Plale 608-266-7505

April 30, 2009 Rep. Jim Soletski 608-266-0485

Sen. Randy Hopper 608-266-5300
Rep. Phil Montgomery 608-266-5840

Bipartisan Group of Legislators Introduce Wind Siting Bill

Plale, Soletski, Hopper, Montgomery and colleagues announce
introduction of SB185

MADISON – A bipartisan coalition of Wisconsin legislators announced
that they are introducing
legislation that calls for the creation of uniform siting standards
for wind energy projects. Senate Bill 185 (SB 185), and its Assembly
companion, directs the Public Service Commission (PSC), after public
input, including a stakeholder committee, to establish by rule,
permitting standards to be applied by local or state government to
wind energy installations, regardless of size and location.

“Too many wind projects are victims of delay tactics and other
obstructions,” Senator Jeff Plale, Chair of the Senate Committee on
Commerce, Utilities, Energy, and Rail said. “SB 185 will enhance
Wisconsin’s economy by protecting and creating “green-collar” jobs; it
will attract new investment to our state and support state energy
policy. I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure that we
can make Wisconsin more attractive to wind energy and achieve the
resulting economic and environmental benefits.”

“A sensible wind energy policy will help Wisconsin harness the jobs
and growth opportunities that green power provides,” stated
Representative Jim Soletski, Chair of the Assembly Energy and
Utilities Committee. “I am excited to be working with a bipartisan
group of legislators from diverse regions of the state to remove the
obstacles to more development of wind power in Wisconsin. By advancing
this legislation, Wisconsin utilities can move toward meeting their
obligation to generate clean energy and much needed jobs can be
created for our workers.”

“We can’t build a 21st century energy infrastructure by digging in our
heels,” Senator Randy Hopper said. “This legislation will ensure that
interested parties from all over our state can take part in developing
the Public Service Commission’s guidelines.”

“Wind power is job-creating power,” according to Representative Phil
Montgomery. “A fair and
uniform state standard for siting wind developments will create an
environment of investment in our state while moving us closer to our
green energy goals.”

Currently, over 600 megawatts of proposed wind projects are stalled in
Wisconsin due to the absence of clear, predictable regulations. This
figure does not include potential projects that have been abandoned
because wind developers are discouraged from constructing these
important projects in our state. These costly delays and deterrents
kill jobs and drain investment from Wisconsin. The status quo has put
our state behind the rest of the country in developing green energy
solutions.

SB 185 will move Wisconsin forward to become a leader in the
development of wind energy and will
create high paying jobs associated with this burgeoning industry. The
legislation has eleven Senate sponsors and twenty Assembly sponsors.