Wind Hearing Generates Overflow Crowd

A large crowd packed the commissioner’s room and spilled into the hallway as the Antelope County commissioners approved a conditional use permit for the Thunderhead Wind Farm.

On a motion by Charlie Henery and a second by Eli Jacob, the permit was approved by Eddie Schindler, Jerald Schwager, Henery and Jacob. Chairman LeRoy Kerkman abstained. It was passed on the conditions that the planning commission set forth as well as the addition of a letter of credit — a $2,500 per mile per day special assessment for undue road closures associated with the wind farm.   

Nearly 75 people attended the public hearing to discuss the permit for the county’s fifth wind farm. The county’s planning commission recommended its approval on a 6-2 vote in October.

The 171-turbine Thunderhead Wind Farm, which will include up to 134 turbines in Antelope County, will be located northwest of Elgin, south of Clearwater and west into Wheeler County. More than 65,000 acres will be under lease for the project in Antelope and Wheeler counties.

Josh Framel, senior manager of renewable development for Invenergy, said the turbines on the Thunderhead Wind Farm would range from 2.3 to 3.8 MWs with the total height not exceeding 500 feet and will connect at the Holt County substation.

Zoning Administrator Liz Doerr said although 134 turbines have been proposed, “Keep in mind, they won’t all be built. Some probably won’t meet the clustering.” As one of conditions, she said all sites will be reviewed by the planning commission before construction.

During the opposition portion of the hearing, Doerr read nine letters which included complaints of the wind towers’ red flashing lights in their homes, “unsightly views” devaluing their property and health and environmental concerns.

A handful of people also spoke in person at the meeting. Shelly Bode showed the commissioners a video depicting the “red strobe light” effect in someone’s home due to the lights on the wind towers. Others questioned what will be done about decommissioning the towers and “icing” from the towers which is dropping ice on the roadways.

For those in favor, Doerr read four letters of support and a list 34 names supporting of the wind farm project. Nine people in attendance spoke in favor of the project as well.

Norfolk Mayor Josh Moenning said there aren’t many companies out there developing this many jobs and bringing in this much money in this area. He said wind farms have paid $17 million to farmers in the area since 2009.

“You can’t deny the local economic benefits,” Moenning said.
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The other proponents agreed, stating benefits such as the widening of the tax base, keeping kids from moving away and improving the roads.