RENEW Wisconsin hailed a developer's decision to pay landowners who won't have turbines on their property. Invenergy unveiled an innovative plan to pay landowners an annual fee if they live within 1/3 of a mile from one or more turbines in the company's Forward Wind Project.

Immediate Release

October 26, 2005

More Information
Michael Vickerman
Executive Director
608.255.4044
mvickerman@renewwisconsin.org

Clean Energy Group Lauds Wind Developer's Payment Plan

MADISON, WI - RENEW Wisconsin hailed a wind farm developer's voluntary decision to directly compensate nearby landowners who won't have turbines on their property.

Invenergy, LLC, developer of the 200 megawatt (MW) Forward Wind Project in Fond du Lac and Dodge counties, unveiled an innovative plan to pay landowners a set annual fee if they live within one-third of a mile from one or more turbines.

The plan was disclosed at several local meetings as town land use officials and the developer discussed a cooperative agreement to address community concerns.

"RENEW has been encouraging wind developers to channel wind power's economic benefits to a broader group of landowners in the area of wind farms," said Michael Vickerman, executive director of the statewide nonprofit promoter of clean energy. "We are pleased that Invenergy agreed to be the first developer in Wisconsin to distribute local land payments more equitably among landowners," he continued.

"This will be the most high profile wind development in Wisconsin when completed next year. Invenergy's decision sets the standard for other Wisconsin wind developers," Vickerman added.

The Forward Project, approved by the Wisconsin Public Service Commission in July, will consist of 133 1.5 MW wind turbines and serve four state utilities - Alliant Energy, Madison Gas & Electric, Wisconsin Public Power, Inc., and Wisconsin Public Service Incorporated.

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RENEW Wisconsin is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that acts as a catalyst to advance a sustainable energy future through public policy and private sector initiatives. RENEW is a member of the Wisconsin Renewable Energy Network, a subcontractor to Focus on Energy. Visit RENEW at www.renewwisconsin.org or e-mail Michael Vickerman at: mvickerman@renewwisconsin.org.