Final Hearing on Wind Energy Regulations Thursday

By Gordon HopkinsA hearing is being held on Thursday, March 9, 2023, at the Jefferson County Courthouse, to give the public one more opportunity for input on new industrial wind farm regulations in the county.The Jefferson County's Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Committee has completed its review of regulations regarding the placement of wind turbines in the county. After the hearing, they will send their recommendations to Jefferson County Commissioners regarding setbacks, shadow flicker and decommissioning.The P&Z Committee has voted to increase the recommended setback for the placing of wind turbines to one mile (5,280 feet). The setback established is measured from the wind turbine to a non-participating landowner's exterior wall. P&Z also recommended a 1/2 mile setback to the property line of a non-participating landowner's property and a one mile setback to schools, churches, incorporated communities and state owned recreational areas, such as Rock Creek Station and Alexandria State Park.Another issue is shadow flicker, the result of a moving shadow caused by the rotating turbine blades. The committee voted to recommend a limit of 30 hours of shadow flicker per year on a non-participating residence.The committee also voted to recommend a plan for every turbine to ensure sufficient funds for removal in the form of an “escrow account, bond, or equivalent enforceable security.”County commissioners will then hold a meeting on Thursday, March 23, at the 4-H Building at the county fairgrounds. Commissioners will make the final decision as to wether to accept, reject or change the recommended regulations. They also have the option to return the proposal back to P&Z for further review, however, members of the P&Z committee have said they will not accept them.

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