Critics of proposed statewide rules of permitting wind farms in
Wisconsin unloaded complaints on legislators, during a hearing at the
Capitol Wednesday. A state Senate committee is reviewing the rules
from the Public Service Commission, which would create statewide
standards for the construction of wind farms.

Larry Wunsch, who served on the PSC advisory panel, says proposed
setbacks for wind turbines still leave them too close to homes. Wunsch
was also critical of the process the Commission used in crafting the
rules, arguing that the panel was stacked with pro-wind advocates who
ignored opposing viewpoints.

Tamas Houlihan with the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers
Association voiced concerns about restrictions on aerial crop
spraying, warning it could cause delays in treating plants. Houlihan
was joined by several other farmers who say they need to react quickly
to potential pest threats, and only aerial spraying allows them to do
that.

Lawmakers also heard from supporters of the rules, who argue that
clear guidelines are needed to keep local governments from creating
conflicting standards.

Michael Arndt of Element Power says setback guidelines that are too
strict could severely limit where wind farms can be built. Arndt says
there’s a misconception that there are large strips of land out there
waiting for wind development. However, he says forcing turbines to be
built a half mile or more from neighboring properties quickly reduces
the amount of land available.

State Senator Jeff Plale (D-South Milwaukee), who chairs the Senate
Committee on Commerce, Utilities, Energy, and Rail, told dozens of
people who turned out to testify Wednesday that lawmakers will likely
send the proposed rules back to the PSC for changes.