BLOWN AWAY

Marshfield experiments with wind farms

By Rebecca R. Konya

The Green Field Wind Farm project in the town of Marshfield is planning to have a similar look to this nine-turbine project located in southern Minnesota. The turbines in Marshfield will be smaller than those in Minnesota.

Farms aren't an unusual sight in the tiny agricultural community of Marshfield in northeast Fond du Lac County, but the Green Field Wind Farm isn't a typical farm.

Rather than growing crops, the Green Field plans to harvest energy.

Last November, the Marshfield Town Board approved a development agreement with Navitas Energy Inc. of Minneapolis to construct 44 wind turbines. When completed, it is expected to be the largest wind farm in Wisconsin.

Chris Moore, director of development for Navitas, said good wind made Marshfield an ideal location for the project. Located east of Lake Winnebago, the town averages an annual wind speed of 17 mph.

The turbines, which will sit atop tubular towers as tall as 350 feet, will be equipped with 128-foot-long blades. The entire project will generate 80 megawatts of power - enough to provide electricity to 28,000 homes.

As part of its agreement with Navitas, Marshfield stands to collect $2.8 million in revenue over 21 years. John St. Peter, the town's attorney, said the municipality plans to use that money to reduce its tax levy.

Participating property owners also will receive $4,000 per year for each tower as compensation for the loss of one-third to one-half acre of productive land needed for the base of the structure.

The project also is expected to bring new jobs to the area. Moore said employment opportunities will range from construction to operation to ongoing maintenance.

"Citizens and local government typically support these developments because they generate significant tax revenue and create jobs," said John Dunlop, senior outreach representative for the American Wind Association.

But Marshfield had limited authority to turn down the project. A state statute prohibits municipalities from refusing a pro-ject unless it threatens the health and safety of a community.

"The Legislature wants to encourage wind farms," said St. Peter.

However, health and safety concerns prompted a group of citizens to file a lawsuit in January to nullify the development agreement. The group wants studies of environmental, health and safety issues before the project proceeds.

Navitas and the town argued the concerns are unwarranted and filed to have the lawsuit dismissed. The Fond du Lac County Circuit Court was set to hear the motion, but as of press time, Moore said that construction was still on schedule to begin in late spring or early summer.