A proposed wind ordinance for Howard County that would allow construction of a large-scale wind farm was tabled another month for more study.
The Howard County Plan Commission referred the ordinance back to the Ordinance Study Committee on Tuesday and is expected to consider it again in May.
Glen Boise, executive director of the Kokomo/Howard County Plan Commission, said there was considerable discussion about the language in the ordinance on a large wind system.
He said supporters of the ordinance found some of the language needed to be clarified when it came to proposed standards for the establishment of a large wind system.
Boise said opponents voiced similar concerns to those expressed in December when a new county zoning ordinance was being considered.
“There were concerns about the effects of the spinning blades, noise when in operation and ice throw,” he said.
Boise said engineers with Horizon Wind Energy of Texas explained that when there is a build-up of ice or debris on the blades, there are sensors that shut the system down.
The Plan Commission was expected to approve the ordinance on Tuesday and forward it on to the Howard County Commissioners for final approval.
Horizon Wind Energy is in the process of evaluating the possible construction of a wind farm in eastern Howard County and neighboring Grant County.
Currently, Howard County doesn’t have an ordinance regulating wind energy.
The company is looking at 10,000 to 15,000 acres east of Greentown to be used for a wind farm that could produce 150 to 200 megawatts of electricity.
Approximately 1 acre of farm ground is needed for each tower and farming operations could continue around the towers.
Horizon Wind currently is monitoring the wind movements in Howard County and it will take a year before all the data is available.
A 200-megawatt field could provide electricity to nearly 66,000 homes, according to Laura Sheets, Duke Energy’s business relations manager in Kokomo.
The wind ordinance would be included in a new county zoning ordinance scheduled for consideration in June.
Boise said construction of a wind farm would require a special exception and would address such concerns as setbacks from the nearest residential property.
Horizon Wind Energy broke ground in White County this month on a wind farm that could see 600 turbines installed in the next five years.
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