LETTER: Smart wind energy growth makes sense

To the Editor:

In a recent letter (“Wind farm moratorium makes sense for state”), Scottie Ard makes good points about green energy, but unfortunately reaches the wrong conclusion.

While it is encouraging to see supportive comments for wind energy and transmission development to the west, that is no reason to exclude the benefits of wind energy from Wisconsin by imposing a moratorium. Why should South Dakota enjoy all the jobs, economic development and health benefits that are supplied by wind energy, when Wisconsin can receive those benefits, too?

All development requires the study and evaluation that Ms. Ard requests in her letter. Safety, costs and environmental impacts must all be weighed before wind, or any other development, takes place in Wisconsin. But this evaluation has been, and is, occurring.

The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin does not take their role lightly. Calling for a state-wide moratorium ignores the hard work the state commissioners have been doing for years to ensure that wind energy continues to benefit Wisconsin in a safe and responsible way.

And wind is benefiting Wisconsin. According to the American Wind Energy Association, the industry employs 2,000-3,000 individuals in Wisconsin, and is bringing over $1 million in tax payments and just under $2 million in payments to land owners. These numbers are real and already benefiting Wisconsin.

And the best part is that the wind industry wants to continue investing in Wisconsin. A moratorium on wind energy sends direct and indirect jobs, economic development, and health benefits out of Wisconsin. Developers are ready to bring even more wind jobs and economic benefits into local communities and schools. Why say no?

Ms. Ard is right. No one wants “irresponsible wind turbine development.” Everyone wants responsible development, and the benefits it brings. A moratorium on wind does not make sense. Don’t send jobs and dollars out of state while we continue our dependence on last century’s energy sources.

Encourage the commission to keep pursuing smart wind energy growth.

Joe Sullivan

St. Paul, Minn.

Tags: letters to the editor, opinion