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GF Considers Allowing Wind Turbines for Residents/ Businesses

By KFBB News Team

Story Created: Jul 8, 2009 at 5:27 PM MST

Story Updated: Jul 8, 2009 at 5:27 PM MST

The Electric City could soon become much more electric. At last night’s (7/7), Great Falls City Commission meeting the public got to voice their opinions on Ordinance 3034. If adopted it would legalize certain wind powered electricity systems in the city. That means you could soon see a wind turbine popping up in a backyard near you. "Right now small towns are really open- big cities are sitting back, I look to Great Falls to be the pioneers,” said Scott Palmer owner of Wind Power Montana. Wind power is nothing new to our area but turbines within the city limits certainly would be. Though the idea still must be approved by the city commission- - the demand from Great Falls residents is already blowing Palmer away. "There are probably at least 100-200 people who want them up right now…and one customer already paid." But before people get carried away, they need to know there will be restrictions should the ordinance pass. "In residential areas you can only go up to a 80 foot maximum height in other areas I believe you can go up to 125 feet…we also have some provisions regarding appearance and noise requirements,” said Bill Walters, the Interim Director of the City Planning Board. However there are also incentives from the government. Even with the proposal still up in the air, Palmer says wind energy is the wave of the future. He said, "We don't even pay attention to our power lines running in our back alleys anymore because they've been there for so long and wind turbines are going to be the same thing." Ultimately it's up to the city commission to decide if they will pass the ordinance. They will discuss the proposal on July 21st and if approved, turbines could go up as early as September.

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