Sen. Howard Marklein, Rep. Todd Novak, and Rep. Travis Tranel Request Listening Session from Governor Evers Regarding Uplands Wind Project

MADISON — Sen. Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green), Rep. Todd Novak (R-Dodgeville), and Rep. Travis Tranel (R-Cuba City) sent a letter to Governor Tony Evers today to request that he hold a listening session in southwest Wisconsin to hear concerns regarding the Uplands Wind Project.
 
The Legislators said:
 
“Last month, we held a listening session in Belmont regarding The Uplands Wind Project, a proposed wind turbine development in our district. Our listening session was well attended, with more than 100 residents who came to express concerns related to this project. We were grateful for the opportunity to hear their perspectives on this renewable energy plan.
 
The large Uplands Wind Project has plans to install 120 to 200 turbines that are 698 feet tall (double the height of the Wisconsin State Capitol building) over 30,000 acres in Lafayette and Iowa Counties. Pattern Energy is slated to start construction in 2023. The project will affect a significant portion of southwest Wisconsin.
 
While renewable energy advocates have praised Uplands Wind, others have expressed serious concerns that it will have negative impacts on home values, farms, health, and the beauty of our Driftless Area. Additional perspectives shared at our listening session included concerns stemming from administrative rules and state statutes relating to the Public Service Commission (PSC), a product of Wisconsin Act 40 which was signed into law under Governor Doyle in 2009. Many of our constituents voiced their frustrations with the PSC’s ongoing willingness to approve large scale industrial projects despite public disapproval.
 
You have long advocated for our state to be 100% carbon-free by 2050. The renewable energy proposals planned to achieve this goal largely impact our rural communities who are often forced to live with the local effects of wind turbines. Unfortunately, policy decisions made in Madison are frequently implemented without communication with those whom the policy directly impacts.
 
Because of this, we respectfully ask that you schedule a listening session in our region this summer to hear from the Wisconsinites who are directly impacted by your carbon-free goal.
 
We are proud to represent rural southwest Wisconsin and the residents who call it home. We will continue to advocate for our community members who have concerns about energy projects like Uplands Wind. Their opinions on this issue deserve to be heard.
 
Thank you for your consideration of our request. Please do not hesitate to contact us if we may provide additional information or help facilitate a listening session.”
 
A copy of this letter is attached to this release.