Wind turbines on supervisors’ minds
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The Ringgold County Board of Supervisors met with County Attorney Clint Spurrier to discuss possible ordinances for wind turbines, solar energy systems and battery storage at their regular meeting on Monday, May 1.
While the supervisors have not been approached by anyone wanting to install wind turbines yet, they would like to be prepared in the event that a project comes our way.
These types of projects are often seen as a way to generate additional tax revenue that can be used to fund secondary road projects.
Ringgold County, while windy, is not in the prime zone that companies installing wind turbines are looking at. Wind maps are used to identify where ideal wind currents exist. However, there is a new wind farm project in Taylor County where Clint Spurrier also provides part-time legal services.
Supervisor Colby Holmes opened the discussion by asking Clint Spurrier “How do we start this process?”
Spurrier has helped Taylor County draft several ordinances related to the locations, proximity, and placement of wind turbines, solar energy panels, and battery storage facilities.
The supervisors heard from Spurrier that wind turbine projects often start long before they break ground. First an environmental study is conducted to study native bird species in the area that might be affected. Then maps of the area are drawn up and studied with all the schematic details. Then discussions with the property owners begin.
Spurrier recommended that supervisors talk with Adair, Adams, Union, and Taylor counties where wind turbines already exist to find out what limits they would suggest for the number of turbines in the county.
The set back distance can also determine how many turbines can exist, by defining how close a wind turbine could be placed to property owners dwellings, establishments, and other areas.
The supervisors plan to move forward by holding a town-hall style meeting to learn what Ringgold County residents think about these types of projects prior to drafting ordinances.
Public input can then be used to guide the development of future ordinances. Supervisor Colby Holmes stated “We will be setting a public meeting soon, because we want to be prepared.” Watch the Mount Ayr Record News for more details to come.
