
Developers recently applied to the state Public Service Commission in Wisconsin for a permit to allow them to construct one of the largest wind farms in the western portion of the state.
The proposed Highland Wind Farm is a 41-turbine project in the St. Croix County towns of Forest and Cylon, which are about 25 miles east of the Minnesota border, according to the Wisconsin State Journal.
Developers are concerned with Wisconsin's uncertain wind energy regulations, but are following in the footsteps of Glacier Hills Wind Park in Columbia County, which was placed into commercial service on December 20 and now has 90 turbines installed and working. Despite the anxiety over regulations, developers of the proposed wind farm are confident about the project being completed without a hitch, the State Journal reported.
The Highland Wind Farm project is larger than 100 megawatts, but still has be approved by PSC officials, which had its new siting rules for projects under 100 megawatts suspended. The rules were set to take effect in March 2010.
The PSC has 30 days to determine if the application is complete and the agency has up to 360 days to make a decision on the wind farm.
More than 350,000 labor hours were spent on the Glacier Hills Wind Park green energy project and the Highland Wind Farm will also require a significant amount of time to be completed.

