PSC releases wind farm environmental report (4:54 p.m. 7/21/09)

Wisconsin residents can comment on the environmental effects of the proposed Glacier Hills Wind Park until Sept. 4.

The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin on Tuesday released for public comment a draft environmental impact statement for the project. The PSC will hold public hearings about the project in late October or early November.

The project would include 90 wind turbines on 17,350 acres in northeast Columbia County. The farm would generate 207 megawatts of electricity that would be sold to the Wisconsin Electric Power Co. The project would employ up to 150 workers.

The EIS identifies bat and bird deaths as a major concern with the project but does not indicate danger for any other wildlife, local waterways or air quality. The environmental report takes note of property owners living around the wind farm who will be concerned about the aesthetics of the project.