Opponents of a proposed wind farm in southern Stark County say they’re not opposed to wind power development – but they have a number of concerns about how the proposed Brady Wind farm is being handled – especially at the county level.
Concerned Citizens of Stark County has become an intervener in the case before the North Dakota Public Service Commission. The group has also taken the Stark County Commission to court in that matter.
"We feel the ordinances the county now has with regard to wind farms and turbine placement do not give adequate protection to landowners and people who live in the country who are not participating in the wind farm, but are in close proximity to the placement of those turbines," said Concerned Citizens spokesman Thomas Reichert.
Reichert says Stark County’s rule that prevents a turbine from being built within 2000 feet of a residence is not restrictive enough. He says the group would rather see an ordinance to prevent a wind farm from being built within 2000 feet of property lines.
"If they place the turbine within 2000 feet of an existing dwelling, it prevents or impedes the building of a new dwelling on someone's property who isn't involved in the wind farm" Reichert said. "They're no longer in what Stark County calls its 'safety zone.'"
In its lawsuit against the county, the group is asking for a preliminary injunction against the wind farm.
Concerned Citizens of Stark County has also intervened in the wind farm developer’s case before the Public Service Commission. Because of that, the PSC has delayed a hearing on the wind farm until March 30th.
"We just needed more time to review the application, and all the detail involved in that," said Reichert. "We need the time to prepare our response."
This group also raised objections to a wind farm proposed near Taylor – and that project was not built.
