Winds of change blowing in Wisconsin

By Mark Hirsch, photojournalist

 

Emerging from the corn and soybean fields like a row of majestic trees, 20 wind turbines dominate the horizon along Highway 18 in Montfort, Wis. In this small town historically supported by agriculture, a wind farm is harvesting a different type of crop.

 

Owned by FPL Energy, the Montfort Wind Energy Center produces enough electricity to power approximately 9,000 average Wisconsin homes. When they went online in 2001, they were among the largest turbines manufactured in the U.S.

 

Sitting at the lunch counter of the Tower Junction Restaurant across from the wind farm, Laverne Clifton reflects on the impact the FPL Energy wind farm has had on this small community in Southwestern Wisconsin. "When they first came to me about installing windmills on my property, it seemed too good to be true. Now it's just another good cash crop you don't have to worry about. You don't plant it, and it uses little land," said Clifton, a retired farmer who has three turbines on his property.

 

Whether they have turbines on their property or not, Clifton's neighbors share a similar sentiment. Evelyn Mueller, 82, lives next to three of the Montfort Wind Energy Center turbines and says, "I'm all for it. We should use our natural resources. They are not noisy. I don't think anyway. At night when it's quiet, it's a quiet swish. It almost lulls you to sleep."

 

The Montfort site generated little controversy. Clifton could only remember one person initially opposed to the project because they were concerned it would scare their horses when riding near them. Seven years later, Clifton can think of no one who opposes them.

 

According to FPL Energy, owners of the Montfort Wind Energy Center, wind is the fastest growing renewable energy resource in the world. Supporters promote wind energy as a nonpolluting resource that can supplement other energy sources reducing our dependence on fossil fuels.

 

Montfort residents like Larry Johnsen understand and appreciate the value of wind energy. Johnsen who has three turbines on his property says, "Everyone wants to turn on a light switch and have electricity. I mean do we want another coal plant? Look at how many electrical devices we use today, cell phones, ipods, you name it."

 

Down the road from the Johnsen farm, Jen Thomas moved next to the wind farm in 2005.

 

"I can see the windmills from all four sides of my house and I'm not getting a paycheck from the power company so I don't have to say nice things, but the windmills don't bother me," said Thomas. Visiting homes along the wind farm site, it was difficult to find anyone who opposes or has any concerns about its impact on their quality of life.

 

Jonas Gingerich, an Amish farmer who operates a goat dairy operation beside the wind farm currently has his farm listed with a local real estate company. Gingerich does not use electricity supplied by the public power grid. Because of rules dictated by his Amish lifestyle, his electricity comes from a diesel-powered generator that operates belt driven equipment. Regarding his proximity to the windmills, he said, "The windmills won't have anything to do with my farm sale. In fact, I wish I had one on my land."

 

Acceptance of wind farm projects across the country has varied greatly. While the Montfort Wind Energy Center went up without much fanfare; other Wisconsin sites have generated more controversy. Two wind farm projects in Kewaunee County, Wis. initially generated significant opposition.

 

Visual impact as well as health and safety issues are among the concerns raised by wind energy opponents. Additionally, flicker, noise concerns and perceived reduction in real estate values dominate arguments against wind farms.

 

For residents of Red River and Lincoln in Kewaunee County, Wis., the meetings leading up to passage of conditional use agreements were divisive. Jule Famaree, 81, a Red River board member for 41 years said at the meetings, "Some was for it, some was against it. But now, eight years later, most are ok with it."

 

Life near wind turbines is what you make of it according to Rich Lohrey. Lohrey's home is the only residential dwelling on Cedar Road and sits in the middle of the 14 Wisconsin Public Service wind turbines at the Lincoln Wind Energy Facility.

 

In the five years they have lived in the shadows of the Lincoln wind farm, they have responded to questions about all of the usual wind farm complaints. "Lots of folks stop to ask us about them if they will have them in their area. They want our thoughts about them," Rich said, adding, "The wind farm doesn't bother me, I think it's great."

 

 

Rich and Mary have heard all the horror stories about problems associated with windmills from noise issues to reduced property value. "They can't say they make that much noise because they don't. We lived next to Lake Michigan for nine years; if you want to hear noise, live next to the lake. We wanted a country place with buildings for our toys. The windmills had no impact on our purchase price, none at all," Mary said.

 

The issue of flicker or strobing caused by sunlight passing through the rotating blades is a very real problem depending on location of the turbines. It is also a problem that can be avoided when turbine installations are properly sited. For some residents, flicker is tolerable, for others, it can cause serious concerns.

 

"We have it very early in the morning in our bedroom. It's only like twice a year for a very short time. I can't even complain about that," says Mary Lohrey.

 

The impact of wind farms on wildlife, specifically bats and birds is often identified as another problem. Rich Lohrey is quick to dispel the fear of bird deaths saying, "As far as killing birds, I've walked around them many times and never seen a dead bird yet."

 

For wind farm construction, there are currently no standard guidelines for setbacks from dwellings. Many opponents feel there should be a minimum setback of 1000 feet from an occupied dwelling.

 

Another concern raised by opponents involves doing business with the energy companies. According to residents around the Montfort, Red River and Lincoln energy sites, the power companies have been responsible business partners and good neighbors.

 

Lonnie Fenendael operates a 700 head dairy operation near the Lincoln wind farm. He also has five of the WPS wind turbines on his property and rents additional cropland from Jeff and Wallace Pelnar who have the other nine WPS turbines on their property. He plants crops right up to the base of all 14 WPS turbines.

 

When his family was approached by WPS, Lonnie said, "They were a local company and wanted a contract. There were a lot of things I wanted too, like putting the turbines in a line if possible. They were very good about working it out. We negotiated on price and any land damage. They pay for damage to crops, etc. They are very good about it."

 

Several miles away at the MG&E Kewanee County Wind Farm, Kevin LeFevre had a similar experience. "They treated us good on everything. It was a good business deal for us. They altered the access road to satisfy us."

 

Opponents fear the impact construction of wind farms will have on roads and infrastructure. As a town board supervisor, LaVern Clifton is very happy with his experience. During construction of the Montfort wind farm, "They were very good about correcting any damage to roads, land, etc. The company paid the township for the cost of road repairs, etc. They bent over backwards to make things right." said Clifton.

 

As a landowner, Clifton has no regrets about his business relationship with the owner of the wind farm. "As neighbors, we don't even know they are around."

 

Wisconsin is rated as one of the top 20 states with the highest wind energy potential. Based on a report published by FPL Energy, Wisconsin is capable of producing 58 billion kilowatt-hours annually. Despite opposition, the growth of wind power as an alternative to fossil fuel energy will continue in Wisconsin.

 

Don Leix, a farmer with three wind turbines on his property operates a 450 cow dairy operation near Montfort. Leix said, "We were skeptical at first, with the dairy and stray voltage, but we've had no problems." As far as impact on local real estate,:"They have not affected anything here, its all good farm land."

 

When people ask Leix what he thinks about the wind turbines, he likes to ask them this question. "Do you use electricity?" Leix adds emphatically, "Nobody has told me no yet."