Si#ng large scale wind farms Rigorous, Fair, and Open Maureen Finnerty and Steve Priebe Idaho Falls To date, developers of u#lity-­‐scale wind projects have focused on the technical side of the wind energy issue and have largely ignored the human side. This needs to change. Developers are interested in:  Wind resource  Access to transmission  Power rates  Financial incen#ves  “Non-­‐draconian” ordinances Local residents are interested in:  Visual impacts  Home values  Openness and No#fica#on  Noise and other health effects  Electricity rates  Wildlife Why is there a problem?  The public’s impression of wind energy is generally posi#ve based on what they hear from poli#cians, environmentalists, and developers.  When they see hundreds of 500-­‐
foot tall turbines in a u#lity-­‐scale wind project they are generally nega#ve. These are wind mills and most people consider them to be scenic or even quaint These are not “wind mills” and few people would feel the same about them This is what the veiw shed analysis looks like in the applica#on Wouldn’t this be a more honest view? OWen the first #me the public is aware of a project is when the turbines start being erected. Current no#fica#on requirements  The state of Idaho requires coun#es to provide wriXen no#fica#on of a public hearing for a proposed u#lity-­‐scale wind project only to those who live within 300 feet of the project boundary.  No#ce of a public hearing to the general public is buried in the legal no#ces in the local paper, which many people don’t even receive. How can this be considered adequate public no#fica#on? We need to begin with a beXer public par#cipa#on policy   Prior to submi[ng a use applica#on, the developer should hold a public mee#ng to no#fy the public of plans for the project and should provide wriXen no#ce of the mee#ng to all residents within 3 miles of a proposed project.   The developer should provide the permit applica#on to the county at least 60 days prior to a request for a hearing. The county should evaluate the permit applica#on for comple#on   The county should provide wriXen no#ce of the receipt of a permit applica#on to all residents within 3 miles of a proposed project at least 45 days prior to a public hearing and should provide the completed permit applica#on documenta#on to any who request it.   The county should hold at least one public mee#ng governing the permit applica#on and should no#fy in wri#ng those people who received no#ce of the ini#al no#fica#on. What Si#ng Criteria Should be Used?  Current si#ng criteria have been developed at the local level with virtually no state oversight.  Much of the informa#on has come from wind advocates and is based on limited data.  Local P&Z commissioners don’t have the exper#se, experience, or resources to develop realis#c ordinances.  Turbine setbacks are generally based on noise or safety. •  Noise – 45-­‐60 dBA at project boundary – about 1900 feet •  Safety – based on tower falling over -­‐ 1.1 to 1.5 #mes tower plus rotor height  Visual and other nuisance impacts are not a considera#on.  Decommissioning requirements are minimal Based on these setback criteria, large wind farms loom over our neighborhoods Even at 2 to 3 miles away, they dominate the skyline And we’re told this won’t impact the value of our homes? This would be the view for neighbors who have invested their savings in their homes if an approved project is built Isn’t there a beXer way? We can develop beXer si#ng criteria if we:  Involve state and local officials, developers, and the public.  Model si#ng criteria aWer those for concentrated animal feeding opera#ons (CAFO)  Conduct public hearings on proposed ordinances Recommended si#ng criteria  Implement a 2-­‐mile setback from any residence, plaXed residen#al development, or county/state road unless waived by affected residents.  Establish a decommissioning bond to ensure that turbines are properly disposed at the end of their lives.  Establish a sunset #me of 2 years from approval of the applica#on to ini#ate construc#on Conclusion •  Only by involving all affected par#es, including the public, in developing criteria for si#ng u#lity-­‐scale wind farms can si#ng be rigorous, fair, and open