By Justin Schneider, Herald Bulletin Online Reporter/Manager
justin.schneider@heraldbulletin
ANDERSON - Before windmill blades turn in Duck Creek Township, the Madison County Board of Commissioners wants time to consider the tax implications of a proposed wind-energy ordinance.
On Tuesday, the board tabled until April 21 a wind-energy ordinance recommended by the Madison County Planning Commission on Feb. 10. The ordinance establishes setbacks and windmill heights, and would clear the way for a company called E.ON U.S. to begin laying the groundwork for a Duck Creek Township wind farm that could include 300 windmills.
But commissioners are considering whether to tax wind farm land as agricultural or industrial property.
During the meeting, Madison County Planning Director Cory Wilson delivered a slide-show presentation on wind energy, including many common misconceptions. For example, Wilson said, wind power can provide ample electricity, it poses little threat to birds and bats and creates little noise.
"According to the Wind Energy Association, it's comparable to a refrigerator or air conditioner," Wilson said, referencing a visit to Fowler Ridge Wind Farm in Benton County. "There was still corn in the field and the sound of the wind blowing the corn made more noise (than the windmills)."
Commissioner John Richwine, R-North District, asked how land for windmills, which E.ON plans to lease, will be taxed. Wilson said Benton County considers such property agricultural land and agreed not to tax the improvements on that land, in exchange for a one-time payment.
But Richwine said such an arrangement concerns him.
"Certainly, we intend on paying long-term property taxes," said Andy Melka, assistant development manager for E.ON. "Of course, too high a cost would force us out of the county, effectively."
Melka said E.ON is at least two years away from the permit process. For now, a test windmill will be set up in Duck Creek Township in a month's time and two others could soon come to Tipton and Howard counties.
County Engineer Chuck Leser suggested that any agreement with the company include bonding for road repairs.
"I guarantee you there will not be a road there when they're done building," Leser said. "With the amount of concrete they're using, we need to bond for it."
Commissioner Paul Wilson, D-South District, meanwhile, was concerned with the future and what consequences a wind farm shutdown would hold for the county.
"As far as the decommission of the plant, if ever those towers go away, we would like the restoration of the land for agricultural purposes," Paul Wilson said.
Paul Wilson said he intends to make a trip to Benton County, which Melka called "very representative" of the what E.ON hopes to create in Madison County. Melka said E.ON chose the area because of high wind speeds and presence of high-tension utility lines that can deliver the electricity generated to market. The company has secured 6,200 acres of land.
"The ordinance you've come up with is protective of the county and accommodating of our development," Melka said. "We want the project to make sense for the entire community, not just the land-owners."
E.ON operates seven wind farms in Texas and one in New York, Melka said. The company plans to open anther wind farm in Pennsylvania this year and one in Illinois next year.