Speakers offered widely contrasting views of what messages it would send – and what the economic impacts would be – depending on which commercial wind development regulations the Reno County Commission adopts.
A half-dozen speakers appeared in favor of regulations forwarded by the Reno County Planning Commission, while four others called for more stringent restrictions or an outright ban on wind development in the southeast corner of the county.
Each side received 30 minutes to speak.
The County Commission then put off for two weeks further discussion on the topic to consider what they had heard and formulate their own opinions.
Key issue
Barnett: Open for wind energy development – perhaps not
Dorothy Barnett
How do we value the voices of Reno County citizens? In regard to wind, I’m concerned we’re increasingly giving consideration only to anti-wind voices without regard for the hundreds of employees at Siemens, the landowners who have signed leases for wind turbines, the increased business traffic in local businesses (diners, hotels, etc.) during the construction of a wind farm, and the millions of dollars wind farms bring to county budgets.
The wind energy regulations drafted by the Reno County Planning Commission submitted for Reno County Commission approval reflect the work done to balance concerns raised by citizens of Reno County and the feasibility of wind energy projects. It was developed with input from public comment, expert testimony, and staff over months of deliberation and supported by a 5-1 vote. The end result is a reliable wind energy conversion system (WECS) ordinance that will allow for de
There didn’t appear to be a lot of agreement Tuesday evening as the Reno County Commission took a first look at proposed wind energy regulations forwarded to it by the county’s planning board – starting with how to proceed in reviewing them.
County Commission Chairman Ron Hirst proposed that the board walk through the 14-page document a paragraph at a time and discuss proposed changes – of which he offered several.
Commissioner Ron Sellers indicated he wanted to familiarize himself with the proposal and learn why the planning commission made specific recommendations, but he wasn’t prepared to discuss any changes.
A Wichita contractor appeared to be the low bidder Thursday on the project to upgrade Reno County landfill operations.
The bid from Conco Construction of $2,654,700 was the lowest of five bids received, and more than 38% below the project engineer’s estimate for the work.
The project involves constructing two large buildings, including a new landfill scale house with dual scales and a separate customer convenience center. The project will move the operation across the street from the current scale house.
Landfill staff and the county’s contracted engineers, SCS Engineers, will review the bids and present them to the Reno County Commission on Feb. 9 for award.