Invenergy seeks Brown County land for major wind farm

From an article by Scott Williams in the Manitowoc Herald Tribune Reporter:

Business has been slow, so dairy farmer Bernie Kozlovsky could use a little extra cash as much as the next guy.

But a developer's offer of $6,000 annually for access to his property has Kozlovsky — and many of his neighbors — conflicted about whether to welcome a wind farm into southern Brown County.

The proposal by Chicago-based Invenergy LLC would be Brown County's first major commercial wind farm and would be larger than any currently operating in the state.
Proponents say wind energy protects the environment and provides economic growth, while opponents fear the intrusion of spinning turbines that stand 400 feet tall.
As presented to state regulators, Invenergy's plan calls for 100 turbines south of Green Bay in the towns of Glenmore, Wrightstown, Morrison and Holland.

Kozlovsky, who farms 80 acres in Glenmore, has made up his mind.

"I said, 'Thanks, but no thanks,'" he said. "Sure the money's tempting. But then you've got to step back."

In addition to paying farmers and other landowners $6,000 a year or more to allow turbines on their property, Invenergy is offering the county and local communities a combined $600,000 annually in incentives.