Wisconsin regulators have eased noise restrictions for the 102.5MW Highland wind farm.
The Public Utilities Commission approved the Emerging Energies of Wisconsin (EEW) project in 2013 with noise limits that were stricter than the state wind siting rules. However, a St Croix County judge said the commission acted improperly and sent the case back for review.
The panel this week voted two to zero to remove the restrictions and require Highland to comply with the state-wide maximum of 50 decibels during the day and 45 decibels at night.
The developer also must follow the state complaint resolution process if there are any claims of non-compliance.
EEW first started development of the project in 2007. The developer proposes to erect up to 44 turbines on 26,550 acres in St Croix County.
The $250m Highland scheme will interconnect to Xcel Energy’s 161kV transmission line near the Forest-Cylon town line.
Highland will be one of the first large-scale wind projects in five years in Wisconsin, where construction has been at a standstill since 2011.
Image: Morgue File
