While Allen Countys new wind farm is up and going, the fate of more wind energy development in neighboring counties is decidedly murkier.
Wind resistance is coming in two forms in Neosho County, and could halt plans for a wind farm in the southwest part of the county.
Though Neosho County Commissioners approved the Neosho Ridge Wind Farm, a lawsuit filed by 45 adjacent property owners aims to put a stop to the project.
Apex Clean Energy has plans to erect 139 windmills on 44,000 acres. All the participating landowners have agreed to its construction and signed lease agreements.
But some of their neighbors are not happy, saying the wind farm is a health hazard.
Barring a successful legal challenge, the Prairie Ridge farm would generate 300 megawatts of electricity, the Chanute Tribune reported.
Meanwhile, Neosho County Commissioners continue to discuss a moratorium on additional wind energy development, although nothing has been set in stone.
Provisions of the moratorium would include setting up a panel to devise a comprehensive plan for wind energy in Neosho County, and look at possible zoning changes if necessary.
Two of the three commissioners have proposed different versions of the moratorium, most recently last week, but none has been approved. The proposal at last weeks Commission meeting would exempt the Neosho Ridge project, but delay any other wind farm work for at least a year after passage.
Commissioners expect to continue discussing the moratorium.
A LITTLE farther south, in Labette County, the Parsons Planning Commission voted, 5-1, to recommend an ordinance that would greatly limit the height of any windmills built around city limits.
The proposal, limiting windmill height around the city to 200 feet or less, would extend the limitations to a 3-mile radius outside Parsons in every direction, the Parsons Sun reported. For comparisons sake, the windmills at the Prairie Queen Wind Farm exceed 600 feet in height, when counting the blades.
There is nothing planned in or around Parsons, but locals have grown concerned with the proliferation of wind farms in the area.
The ban must be approved by the Parsons City Commission.
