Power is blowin' in the wind

Monday, January 14, 2008

From an article by Brian Bridgeford in the Baraboo News Republic:

BARABOO - Wind energy is one renewable resource that can help keep the lights on while being kind to the Earth, said members of a panel Saturday in Baraboo.

More than 60 people from Baraboo and around Sauk County overflowed a basement meeting room in the West Square Building during a community forum on wind power sponsored by Sustain Sauk County. The group exists to inspire thought locally on how to create communities that provide for human needs without depleting the environment, said Judy Spring, voluntary coordinator for the group.

Among the speakers was farmer Stan Hellenbrand of Springfield Township north of Madison. He said he is working with the Madison-based firm EcoEnergy to install six wind turbines on his property.

Curt Bjurlin of EcoEnergy said his company is looking for new places to place wind turbines in Wisconsin and surrounding states. The firm has about 1,400 megawatts of wind turbines under development.

The company has to find places that are windy enough to make installing the $3 million turbines worth the cost and which are close enough to the power grid to connect easily, he said. They also have to follow a variety of regulations such as setbacks of 1,000 feet or more from nearby residences.

Wind energy is not a "gold mine" as far as the amount of profit it produces, Bjurlin said. However, there are investors willing to fund wind farms because once they are installed the fuel is free and they provide a steady, reliable income.