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Posted on 07/01/2007 9:45:04 AM PDT by BenLurkin
LANCASTER {California} With electricity bills high, and more people interested in a "green" lifestyle, a Lancaster-based company that sells electricity-generating windmills is trying to change Los Angeles County regulations to make it easier for homeowners to install them.
The county's windmill permit for homeowners requires notification of all neighbors within 1,000 feet and a $4,000 application fee, which is not refundable if the application is rejected, according to supporters of changing the county regulations.
Lancaster-based Energy Options general manager Scott Meyer spoke Thursday at an Antelope Valley Association of Rural Town Councils meeting as part of an effort to garner support from Valley residents and leaders as he attempts to lobby 5th District County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich to help simplify the turbine permit process.
The first was the ordinance's requirement that required any neighbor within a 1,000-foot radius of the property line to be notified of an individual's intent to install a wind turbine. In 2005 Antonovich's office pushed for extending the radius from 300 feet to 1,000 feet.
The second issue was to change the sequence of the permitting process so individuals can ask their neighbors before undergoing major expenses in the permitting process.
The third issue is the permit cost. Meyer displayed charts showing Los Angeles County charges far more in fees compared to Kern and San Bernardino counties. The Los Angeles County cost to notify neighbors and complete the conditional use permit process is approximately $8,000; in Kern and San Bernardino counties it is in the $1,000 to $1,500 range.
Antonovich's field representative Norm Hickling, said "The reason why it was extended to 1,000 feet was because we had direct complaints from the community in the past; neighbors felt the 300 feet wasn't enough because not enough people were being notified," Hickling said.
(Excerpt) Read more at avpress.com ...
Pricey?!? We've used windmills to pump our water out on the old family farm for the past four generations. All those pioneers were sure some spendthrifts, huh?
Ping
Is there one form of power generation that enviros don’t have a problem with? (Other than throwing people into furnaces)
Please Freep Mail me if you'd like on/off
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