2009 Wisconsin Act 40 (Act 40) directed the Public Service Commission to promulgate administrative rules that specify the restrictions a political subdivision (a city, village, town or county) may impose on the installation or use of a wind energy system, and to help ensure consistent local procedures for local regulation of wind energy systems. Pursuant to Act 40, if a political subdivision chooses to regulate such systems, its regulations may not be more restrictive than the Commission’s rules.
The Commission established docket 1-AC-231 to conduct the rulemaking under Act 40. To access docket 1-AC-231, use our Electronic Records Filing (ERF) system and search using the docket number.
On December 27, 2010, the Commission adopted the final wind siting rules,
Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter 128. The wind siting rules were in effect as of March 16, 2012.
Notices Filed with the Commission
Under the wind siting rules, an applicant requesting political subdivision approval for a wind energy system must at several stages of the application process file notices with a variety of parties, including the Commission. The Commission will establish a docket each calendar year for notices it receives under the wind siting rules.
Under the wind siting rules, an applicant requesting political subdivision approval for a wind energy system must at several stages of the application process file notices with a variety of parties, including the Commission. The Commission will establish a docket each calendar year for notices it receives under the wind siting rules. Contact the Wind Siting Rule staff below for information on filings for a given calendar year, or search the ERF system and using the following naming system “9300 – WF – (Calendar Year)” i.e. 9300-WF-2020”.
Local Wind Application Filing Requirements
Wisconsin Administrative Code § PSC 128.50(1) requires the Commission to establish detailed application filing requirements for wind energy system applications filed for political subdivision review. These local wind
filing requirements contain a detailed description of the information required to satisfy the filing requirements for applications under
Wis. Administrative. Code § PSC 128.30(2). The Commission may revise these requirements as necessary, and any revisions will be posted here on the Commission’s website.
Commission Protocols
Wis. Admin. Code § PSC 128.50(2) allows the Commission to create and revise protocols as needed to provide standards for evaluating compliance with the wind siting rules. The Wind Plant Noise Protocol and the
Phase II Stray Voltage Testing Protocol may be used for this purpose.
Additional Wind Energy Information
Frequently Asked Wind Siting Rules Questions
Political Subdivision Wind Siting Approval Timeline
Rules Applicable to Small Wind Energy Systems
PSC Staff Contacts