Commissioners Enact Moratorium on Wind Farm Development

Aug. 18–MCPHERSON — A 180-day moratorium on wind farm development has been put in place by McPherson County commissioners.

The action will allow time for the county to study the issue before considering any wind farm project, said Chad Bahr, the county’s planning and zoning administrator.

The McPherson County Planning and Zoning Board, which met Monday night in front of 75 people, recommended the moratorium to commissioners.

A Spanish company, Gamesa Energy, approached the county in April about erecting 50 windmills, 300- to 400-feet tall, in rural McPherson County to generate electricity.

Bahr said opponents have concerns about noise, lack of tax revenue for the county, environmental issues, harm to property values and damage to rural roads during construction.

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