Kansas court rules for county on wind farms
Published on -10/30/2009, 3:04 PM
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TOPEKA (AP) -- The Kansas Supreme Court has ruled that Wabaunsee County commissioners have the right to prohibit construction of commercial wind farms in the county.
In a unanimous decision Friday, the court also noted potential harm to the aesthetics and ecology of the Flint Hills if huge wind turbines were erected in Wabaunsee County.
The court also considered opposition from a majority of county residents who attended 54 public hearing on commercial wind farms.
Before she left office, former Gov. Kathleen Sebelius also discouraged wind farm development in the Flint Hills.
The court said despite its ruling, there are still some questions about whether Wabaunsee County's ordinance violates the U.S. Constitution.
The Flint Hills is the last tall-grass prairie in North America. These people got it right. To destroy it for a few temporary jobs and corporate profits under the guise of a hypothetical global warming doesn't make much sense. If you are truly worried about global warming, the environment, jobs, taxes, and power promote nuclear power.
(Posted by: FrankSens)
: 10/31/2009
What is it really about? The article mentioned the govt resistance, but didn't explain why. We obviously need the jobs. We have the wind and empty land. I'm sure it's about money.
(Posted by: Kevin)
Yup: 10/31/2009
Randy, isn't EVERYTHING in Kansas related to good ol' boys and how much money they can make from everybody? It's that way in Dickinson CO., still no solidarity....period.
(Posted by: Mac)
wind farm: 10/31/2009
good jobs, a bright future!wake up before we are paying such high energy prices we can't afford anything else.
(Posted by: my girl)
GOING GREEN: 10/30/2009
OUR BIGGEST HURDLE TO REAL ECOLOGY IS OUR ARCHAIC GOVERNMENT, ALWAYS WILL BE TOO
(Posted by: BLUEAGLE)
Wind farms: 10/30/2009
I've heard everything from the wind farms "Blow the rain away" to "They kill birds". I think it is a matter of NOT IN MY BACKYARD thinking. OK, go to next county and let someone else reap the rewards/income.
(Posted by: Kansas Transplant)
Wind Farms: 10/30/2009
If you don't want them send them to Winfield. We would love the jobs, the energy, the taxes, and in general, the prosperity they would bring with them.
(Posted by: Winfield Resident)
Windfarms: 10/30/2009
Well again the rural people are deined an increase in their possiblility of more income. When I drive to western Kansas I an amazed at the tourist from all over the United States pulled over and taking pictures of the Windmills. Come on Law Makers continue to be dicatores and living in the past. For goodness sake lets not move ionto the future so we are not so dependent on foreign oil.
(Posted by: L.J.)
Wind Farms: 10/30/2009
Any county should be able to decide its future with regard to wind farms. I have to say though - this is KANSAS. Wind farms won't hurt wheat and beef cattle. I can't imagine a better place in the world to erect a wind farm. Are they not offering enough money to the county and the land owners? Is that what this is really about?
(Posted by: Randy Wing)
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