PROS

Wind energy production allows farmland to remain in farm production with a new crop, wind.

“Wisconsin is losing cropland faster than any other state in the breadbasket of the nation, the Midwest, jeopardizing not only the state’s farm economy but also its profitability in the emerging biofuels industry, agriculture and land use, officials say.”

Milwaukee Journal/Sentinel. As Farms Shrink, So Does State’s Economic
Potential
Author: AMY RINARD Staff Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Publish Date: January
29, 2007

Wisconsin is making an attempt to have 25 % of renewables in their energy portfolio by the year 2025.

Wind Energy Positives:

Non-Polluting Energy Source

Income for farmers

Income for owners/investors

Decreased dependence on polluting Fossil Fuels

Increased energy independence

Increased efficiency; Locally produced power = less distance for losses

Keeps energy dollars in Wisconsin & more importantly Door County

CONS

Variable - Wind alone is not going to solve our energy problems. Conservation and efficiency matters could have a greater impact on the electrical demands of the nation, however trends don’t appear to be heading in that direction.

Sound - At currently envisioned setbacks at the property line, sound levels are capped at the level of 50 db, comparable with conversation levels.

Shadows/Strobe - Conditions have to be right for shadow flicker to occur. The sun has to be in a certain position relative to the turbine and the wind direction. Due to the changing orbital path of the sun, these conditions occur twice a year and last for only a few days, and then only for the 10 to 15 minutes it takes for the shadow to pass away from a building.

FAA Lighting - Mandated by federal law to all tall structures such as communication or water towers.

Aesthetics - “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”

Birds/Bats - According to a University of Wisconsin study of our local wind turbines in Kewaunee county, in most instances bird kills for turbines are in the range of 1.5-2 per year. Cats are credited with an average of 8-10 bird kills per year. So as has been speculated, one cat is equal in effect to roughly four turbines. As for bats, the questions remain while the
studies are ongoing.

CON MYTHS

Property Values - Studies of existing projects indicate that there is no
negative impact on property values from wind turbines.

Stray Voltage

Flow of electricity through other than intended electrical wiring (neutral or ground currents)

Causes: problem with wiring, corrosion, broken insulation, high moisture, poor grounding

Cows are very sensitive. (1/50 to 1/100)

Farm specific, on the customer side of the meter

Electric distribution and wiring problem not electrical generation problem.

Wind turbines are three phase generators producing balanced three phase currents, no neutral currents that could go to ground.

Neutral & ground currents generally come from unbalanced electical loads where single phase is used.

Stray voltage is not associated with wind turbines or balanced power generation

Ice Shedding

Like any tall structure such as water towers and power lines, wind turbines will shed ice. However, any fear of ice throw shall be mitigated by the engineering and physics of wind turbines. The air foil of the blades do not function when sheathed in ice, so that the blades must shed the ice before the turbine may be brought on-line.

See “Facts and Figures” page for more information.