Supervisors Hear Public Hearing Over Wind Tower Regulations

A public hearing to review possible changes to the wind tower regulations was held at Tuesday's meeting of the Antelope County Supervisors. 

The Planning Commission held a public hearing on Aug. 24 on the topic and approved leaving the setback from a residence to a wind turbines at 1,000 feet for a participating land owner and 2,000 feet for a non-participating landowner. The motion was approved by seven members of the board - one abstained and one was absent for the vote.

​Discussion was heard Tuesday morning on establishing a one-half mile setback for all residences and eliminating the language involving participant and non-participant landowners. This suggestion included the use of waivers if a resident wished to alter or reduce the setback distance from a wind turbine. According to what was said at the hearing, the goal of this was to give the decision making to the residents in the wind farm area. 

However,  another individual brought to the attention of the board that participating land owners can already negotiate with Invenergy on how far they wish to be from the turbines.

The one-half mile zoning recommendations were based on Wheeler and Holt county regulations. Supervisor Greg Koinzan pointed out that these counties are sparsely populated areas.

The board decided not to take action and leave the wind regulations as they currently stand.