It is being billed as a “Community Conversation” with the goal to keep up the fight to regulate wind energy and tower placement as proposed by Pattern Energy.
The event will be held at the Quality Inn, Mineral Point on Saturday April 18 at 5 p.m. It is being sponsored by the Mineral Point Town Board.
“Join with us for a community conversation as we confront the unique challenges of Industrial Wind Turbine energy development in our area,” the invitation says. “We will be discussing how you can let our state officials know how you feel about this development in our neighborhood.”
Speakers at the meeting will include Representative Tom Tiffany who is running for Governor, Representative Todd Novak and Senator Howard Marklein.
All have voiced support for SB 3 which if enacted into law will give local control for approval of wind and solar projects.
Governor Evers is also invited. There will be assistance with filling out petitions, etc.
Waldwick resident John Christianson, a vocal critic of the Pattern Energy plan, submitted the following for information and an ask for support opposing the project.
PETITION TO SIGN AND SHARE: www.change.org
Urgent timeline: please sign this petition at www.change.org and call Governor Tony Evers office as often as you can at (608) 266-1212 to express your concern and stop the Uplands Wind Project! Please say “NO TO PATTERN” to “STOP” the Uplands Wind Project and ask your friends to do the same “Only together we can do this!”
“Southwest Wisconsin is an area deeply connected to its unique and fragile geological features. It is underlaid by soft and erodible rock, primarily limestone and dolomite. This geological composition means that when slightly acidic water interacts with soluble minerals in the rock, it creates fissures, caves, and sinkholes, facilitating the movement and storage of water. This natural process is what creates the many springs, creeks, ravines and bluffs that define our picturesque landscape. However, this area is now under threat from the potential installation of industrial wind turbines. The construction and operation of these turbines could have devastated effect on the driftless area’s environment. The heavy foundations and access roads needed for these turbines could alter the drainage patterns and ground water flow, disrupting the delicate balance of the ecosystem. Furthermore, there is a significant risk of leaching toxic lead into wells and streams from ancient mines stirred up by construction activities and by vibrations caused by turbine operations. This potential contamination poses a direct threat to our local water supply, affecting both humans and wildlife. Preserving southwest Wisconsin’s unique ecosystem is essential. There are alternative locations more suitable for wind turbines that do not carry the same environmental risks. Moreover, investing in smaller scale renewable energy solutions or technologies that do not require such invasive construction methods should be prioritized to protect our natural resources. We must act now to prevent irreversible damage to the driftless area. By signing this petition, you are standing up for the preservation of our natural heritage and advocating for the exploration of environmentally safe renewable energy solutions. Let us protect southwest Wisconsin’s unique landscape for future generations.”
(From: Howard Hill, Petition Starter, submitted by John Christianson.)
Please protect Yellowstone Park which is where these wind turbines are headed. Once wind turbines are installed near Yellowstone, camping will become obsolete. The whirling and rumbling of these turbines will scare off our campers and wildlife. Bats will be nonexistent. For those that don’t know this; bats keep flies and mosquitos nonexistent in Yellowstone Park. Turbines will affect tourism in Iowa County. Please sign Petition www.change.org.
We do not want turbines in Iowa or Lafayette Counties and never even near Yellowstone Park!
Please call, write, or email Senator Howard Marklein, the Public Service Commission (website is PSC.Wi.Gov), our DNR, our Governor, etc. to plead that we need bill SB 3 passed as soon as possible so Townships can make their own local decisions of what can and cannot be done in Iowa County to protect our beautiful Driftless Area from profiteering companies like Pattern Energy BEFORE Pattern Energy is issued their permits by the Public Service Commission (PSC) so Pattern Energy can began construction in our Driftless Area! If enough people step up and voice their opinion, sign the petition and keep the pressure on our legislature we might be able to stop the wind turbine projects in our beautiful Driftless Area.
Wisconsin Senate Bill 3 (SB3), introducing the 2025-2026 legislative session, aims to increase local control over large renewable energy projects, such as wind turbines and solar farms, by requiring them to obtain approval from local municipalities (cities, villages, or towns) before the Public Service Commission
(PSC) of Wisconsin can grant final permits. This bill is directly relevant to companies like Pattern Energy and its proposed large-scale projects, such as the Uplands Wind project in southwest Wisconsin, which have faced scrutiny from local officials regarding land use, noise, and community impacts.
Key Aspects of SB3 (2025-2026 Session):
1) Local Control Requirement: For wind or solar projects with a capacity of 15 megawatts or more, developers must get approval from each municipality (each city, town and village) where the project is located. This bill increases regulatory authority by removing existing state-imposed limits that prevent local governments from placing strict restrictions on renewable energy systems, effectively granting them broader power to block or regulate these projects.
2) Approval Deadline: Municipalities must approve or deny the project within 90 days of receiving a request, or it is automatically approved. The bill allows this deadline to be extended by up to 90 days for certain reasons.
3) PSC Restrictions: The PSC is prohibited from issuing a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) unless all relevant local governments approve the project by adopting a resolution approving the project.
4) Reversing Existing Law: The bill reverses a 2009 law that gave the state’s PSC authority to override local governments for projects over 100 megawatts, which supporters argue has led to local residents feeling “ignored”.
5) Current Law vs. Proposed Change:
Currently, wind and solar projects generating 100 MW or more are primarily regulated by the state PSC, and local municipalities have limited authority to block them unless they can prove a threat to public health or safety. SB3 lowers this threshold to 15 MW and makes local approval a strict requirement for all projects above that size.
Arguments Surrounding SB3:
1) Supporters (Local Officials, Republicans and rural advocacy groups): argue that the 2009 legislation (Act 40) took away local control, turning rural spaces into “utility districts.” They argue this bill gives local residents a seat at the table to protect their communities.
2) Opponents (Clean Energy Groups, Developers & Clean Energy Coalitions): Argue that the bill adds an unnecessary layer of bureaucracy, creates uncertainty, and will hinder development of clean energy in Wisconsin, potentially increasing costs for families. SB3 will potentially halt Wisconsin’s progress toward its goal of a carbon-free electric grid by 2050.
Status
The bill was heavily debated in early 2026, with supporters pushing for a veto-proof majority. However, on March 23, 2026, the bill failed to pass the Senate.
Public opinion will not stop Pattern Energy, but Laws will … Pattern Energy is here to do their job, and they will unless we try to stop them with Bill SB3, Petition(s) & contacting our legislators … You decide what is best for you, your family and future generations.