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Union approves met tower permit

EVANSVILLE — The Town of Union Plan Commission unanimously approved a conditional-use permit Thursday night for EcoEnergy to construct a wind measurement tower.

About seven people spoke at a public hearing, though no one expressed strong opposition, plan commission member Doug Zweizig said this morning.

The 197-foot measurement tower would be nearly identical to one that’s been collecting wind data since April 2007 at County B and Highway 213 in Magnolia Township.

The tower destined for Union Township will be at the southeast corner of County C and Highway 104 on the properties of Donald Maas and Harold and Mary Abey, according to the permit application.

Members of the public and commission wanted it to be clear that approval of the measurement tower didn’t have any implications in approving wind turbines, Zweizig said.

EcoEnergy has proposed building three turbines in the township with Wisconsin Public Power Inc. to supply power to Evansville Water and Light customers. The measurement tower is the first step in evaluating wind in the area, EcoEnergy project developer Curt Bjurlin has said.

The tower application would be renewed annually and be up for at least a year, he said. It would be constructed between Oct. 5 and Nov. 5, according to the application.

The plan commission also received from its attorney a "very close to final draft" of a wind ordinance. The commission plans to vote on the ordinance at its Oct. 30 meeting, Zweizig said.