It's Not a Waste of Time

An issue that needs clarification, or more accurately a myth that needs to be debunked, centers around the claim that if a wind energy project exceeds 300 Kw., a local authority loses jurisdiction to do anything. As I have promised you many times, I will “bring the receipts” for you to read and assess for yourself. §60.0401 Wis. Stats., PSC 128 and the decision in Brighton have all been made a part of this website for your convenience and serve as the evidence cited in the following.

I am sure you have heard their mantra: “We have no local control.” The following is an excerpt from a recent email between a politician and a constituent that is indicative of what local politicians and residents have been conditioned to believe.

This is the response I got from Columbia County board member. Attachment has a map & timeline of project.

That was pretty much all the debate was about the many times it came to County Board usually under "Public Input". Because of the size of the generation they don't need county approval and we can't control as a county their operation. The Energy Commission at the State and Federal level have pretty much total control. They have to provide a public hearing which they did do. We did invite them into our County Board meeting to answer questions and present their project intent. 

Alliant Energy has now bought out Columbia Wind (same outfit that owns the Power Plant) and are the responsible unit for the proposals permitted by the Energy Commission. Because the MEGA WATT size we have no veto power or approval power at the County Level. I know discussions are in the works at the Sate Level but once the State and the Feds have control they will never relinquish to the county level.

We have been meeting every two months with Alliant and Columbia Wind and the Solar outfits to discuss updates and project timelines. I have been a pain in their side with insisting that the power plant not be shut down until such time as they can reassure all current energy demands can be met and then some with the proposed alternative sources. Well we pretty much got the good news that now the power isn't going to shut down in 2025 or 2026 and has been pushed back to 2029. 

Also I asked why we can't go with natural  gas and they laughed at me stating that there would be no way to provide the volume of natural gas needed to run the operation. Well holy cow now that is exactly what they are going to do with the generator is to be utilizing natural gas in 2029.

It's a work in progress, but my huge concern is that ¼ of the county's budget is funded by the proceeds of the current power plant, and the surrounding Townships have just about their entire budgets funded by the proceeds they receive. To lose that revenue will be devastating to them and Columbia County.

I am not sure where you stand on the alternative energy sources, but I for one think its insane to think that solar and wind will ever be able to provide the energy that is needed. Maybe supplement some, but our landscape will look like a energy factory and with any storm catastrophes have any reasonable amount of time. Hope this helps and if I missed the mark entirely feel free to give me a call on my cell.”

This statement contains a number of falsehoods. To begin with, there has been no public hearing before the Public Service Commission (PSC).There has been no filing of a petition for authority to proceed yet. Notice of intent to file has been given, but Alliant cannot file until mid-August and further announced that they would not be able to file a petition until sometime in September.  

Additionally, those who are promoting the wind project have the issue of local control exactly backwards. The rules which allow local control are located in §60.0104 Wis. Stats and PSC 128 and are applicable to all wind projects without regard to size. The exception is instead for small energy systems only, that is for projects with an overall size of 300 Kw or less and with no individual turbine generating more that 100 Kw. (see PSC 128.60)

A reading of both §60.0401 Wis. Stats and PSC demonstrates that local authorities, while having limited authority to control large wind farm projects, nevertheless, are not without any authority. If you look at PSC regulation, it says:

PSC 128.03 Political subdivision authority.  A political subdivision may not place any restriction, either directly or in effect, on the installation or use of a wind energy system except by adopting an ordinance that complies with this chapter and s. 66.0401, Stats., and is not more restrictive than this chapter.

That, in turn, requires a look at §66.0401(1m)(a) Wis. Stats:

§66.0401(1m) Authority to restrict systems limited. No political subdivision may place any restriction, either directly or in effect, on the installation or use of a wind energy system that is more restrictive than the rules promulgated by the commission under s. 196.378 (4g) (b). No political subdivision may place any restriction, either directly or in effect, on the installation or use of a solar energy system, as defined in s. 13.48 (2) (h) 1. g., or a wind energy system, unless the restriction satisfies one of the following conditions:

• Serves to preserve or protect the public health or safety.

The decision in Marathon LLC v. Brighton explains what “compliance with this chapter,” “public health and safety” and “not more restrictive” means in detail. The decision in Brighton is posted on this website for you to read yourself. For example, Brighton points out that utilities must seek pre-application consultation with the local townships [PSC 128.50(1)] and more frequent time limits for monitoring are specifically authorized [PSC 128.36(1)]

So why are those in favor of windfarms so insistent on saying that we, as citizens, can’t do anything about the health and safety issues and that our efforts are such a waste of time? If passing of these ordinance was so foolish, why would they go through such gymnastics to stop us? It seems to me that allowing us to spend our efforts, time and treasure on such a useless task unabated makes more sense. When your opponent is doing something to damage him/herself, isn’t it “impolite” to interfere? The true answer seems obvious. The proponents of the windfarm proposal know Brighton makes a powerful argument that, if affirmed by the court of appeals, will have a statewide application that hurts them. Alliant and its allies do not fear the policies set out by the PSC, they are afraid of enforcement of the PSC rules because that will be delegated to local authorities if ordinances are passed before the application is made by Alliant to the PSC. Their efforts to discourage us are merely a tactic to prevent us from getting safeguard ordinances in place before the PSC gets involved.  

It appears they are already too late. Three townships, Columbus, Fountain Prairie and Hampden, have passed resolutions to hire counsel to prepare ordinances consistent with Brighton well before Alliant files a petition with the PSC, namely, at the beginning of August, 2025.