Enron gains wind plant permit in Wisconsin

Enron Wind has secured approval to build a 30 MW wind plant at Eden, Wisconsin. "It was demonstrated last night that it is possible to site something other than a subdivision or a strip mall in Wisconsin," says Michael Vickerman of RENEW Wisconsin, an advocacy group. The Iowa County Board spent only 15 minutes to come to a decision. An infamous itinerant crusader against community wind, Mike Mangan, showed up to appeal to the board that it was rushing through the approval process. The zoning committee responded that not only were all procedures followed, but nobody had registered their opposition at any of the previous meetings. The board then passed the resolution unanimously. "The refreshingly matter-of-fact way with which the Iowa County Board deliberated on this matter was most satisfying," says Vickerman. The project, expected to break ground this month, will use 20, 1.5 MW Enron turbines.