Company plans for 111 wind turbines

KEWAUNEE COUNTY - Oregon-based Element Power is working to install turbines in Southern Kewaunee and Northern Manitowoc Counties. The company needs 20 - 25,000 acres for the project. Right now it says it has leased with enough landowners to meet about half that amount.

Monday night the company held an informational meeting with residents.

Element Power is hoping to bring up to 111 wind turbines to the lakeshore and says it needs three things: transmission lines, open land, and wind.

Kewaunee and Manitowoc Counties have all three.

"I just feel like this project is a benefit to the community, it's a benefit to the state," said Mike Arndt of Element Power.

Element Power says the project will create new jobs, help Wisconsin meet its requirement for renewable energy, and generate money for landowners and the government.

Local municipalities stand to benefit financially from wind turbines, but some residents have concerns.

"There's a big push to put it in and my fear is that it's not going to be done right," said Mishicot resident Fran Kunz.

"There's no way I would put one on because it effects the whole quality of life," said Tisch Mills resident Andy Konopacki. "This doesn't effect just people putting the wind turbine up, it effects everybody around them."

Some attending an informational meeting in the Town of Carlton in Kewaunee County have questions about the technology used in turbines, their health effects and local property values.

"On a commercial value they may have some negative impacts," said Kewaunee County resident Ron Heuer. "However, on the other side there's a balance that says if you have a contract and you're getting $14,000 a year and I hand you a piece of property that has that as part of the sale contingency, you may say 'Hey this is a good deal.'"

"This thing will be studied and the state has a very rigorous process for permitting projects that we'll be forced to go through," said Arndt.

Element Power is hoping the wind turbines will go up in two years, but between now and then many things need to happen, including getting enough landowners on board.

As part of the process, Element Power has to apply for approval with the Wisconsin Public Service Commission. It has not done that yet, but hopes to next year.