So much for streamlining regulatory and approval processes for businesses. I guess that doesn't count when the business produces something conservatives hate, like renewable energy.
Despite state rules that eliminate virtually all local control from the application process, state Sen. Glenn Grothman (R-West Bend) said Thursday he thinks there’s “a fairly good chance” that Town of Sherman officials can stave off development of a wind farm in their community that seems almost universally opposed by residents.Yeah, this is exactly the kind of certainty businesses need to be getting from GOP officials.
“I think there’s a fairly good chance that they can keep this from moving foward,” Grothman said. “They have to provide an avenue for some windmills, but it doesn’t have to be easy. Ultimately, companies don’t like to set up shop where they don’t feel welcome.”
Grothman suggested, as did many of those who spoke before the Town Board on Tuesday night at the Silver Lake Fire Hall, that town officials impose bonds and fees and stretch out the process as long as possible in hopes the state Legislature may revisit rules that govern wind farm development.
“In January, (when the Legislature reconvenes) we may be able to make it more difficult,” Grothman said.
3 comments:
In fairness, this is one area where a conscientious conservative can run into a conflict of principles. I know I struggle with this one - I really do believe in local control as much as possible. But for businesses and a general sense of fairness, it's desirable to have uniform regulations. Add in the utility/energy aspect and it's even tougher.
Not to say Grothman is being principled - maybe he's just pandering, I don't know. But I find it to be a difficult issue to resolve - don't you?
Is it that complicated? You either want local governments involved in making decisions about permitting and regulating or you don't. But you can't be the GOP, where you want local governments to butt out of things like agricultural pollution and CAFOs and mining and then allow local governments at their NIMBY-ing finest when it comes to wind farms. That's just naked hypocrisy.
But you can't be the GOP, where you want local governments to butt out of things like agricultural pollution and CAFOs and mining and then allow local governments at their NIMBY-ing finest when it comes to wind farms.
Your analysis is missing something here: the will of the local residents.
Obviously, the locals do NOT want windmills; conversely, the locals Up Nort' DO want the Gogebic mine.
Big difference.
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