By Thomas Content of the Journal Sentinel

New Berlin — Gov. Jim Doyle said Wednesday his signing of a wind farm
siting bill should serve as a call to wind developers who have been
avoiding building projects in the state.

“It signals to the world that Wisconsin is in the wind business, and
that we intend to be one of the leading states in production of wind
energy and components that are necessary to harness that energy,”
Doyle said as he signed the bill into law.

Though Doyle and other political leaders have been supporters of
renewable energy, wind-industry developers have been hesitant to be
active in the state, in part because of a patchwork of local
ordinances governing any wind farm under 100 megawatts, and because of
past state Department of Transportation permitting problems that made
it cumbersome to transport wind-turbine components across the state.

“The wind industry – some felt that it was just a difficult place to
do business,” Doyle said after the signing ceremony. “But this is a
huge step forward.”

The siting law will require the state to develop specific standards
that would be enforced statewide. That process could take up to a
year.

Groups concerned about the impact of wind turbines on property values
were disappointed that the bill passed. They preferred local
regulations that governed issues such as how far wind turbines could
be placed from homes.

The bill signing took place in New Berlin, where ABB makes drives and
motors for use in industrial and commercial applications including
wind and solar power.

“We are seeing interests in the alternative energy sector skyrocket,”
said Rick Hepperla, regional manager of automation projects, North
America, for ABB.

Jeff Anthony of the American Wind Energy Association said the bill was
a needed step to attract the wind industry to the state.

“It restores common sense and consistency to wind project siting in
Wisconsin,” he said. “Wind project developers will now view Wisconsin
as a viable place for considering wind power development.”