By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Reno County Commissioner Daniel Friesen will be listening closely to the public input being offered on the proposed wind farm regulations Tuesday.
"I think it's important that we listen to the public yet again one more time," Friesen said. "I wouldn't be willing to make a decision until we heard, kind of, final arguments on that."
Friesen also plans to ask about the true intentions of his colleagues with regard to wind energy one more time.
"This entire process is focused on the eastern half of the county," Friesen said. "That's a more populous area of the county and it takes a lot more effort to make it compatible, obviously, because of the development, mainly residential in those areas. I asked Chairman Hirst last Tuesday and I'll probably ask him again next Tuesday if our intent is to develop regulations so stringent that we don't want wind in the county. That's really the conversation we need to have."
Friesen says he isn't anti-wind.
"I mean, I ran in my campaign on a platform of finding a deal that works for the many residents that are opposed to this with all of the property owners that are for this and those that have an economic interest in its success," Friesen said.
How each commissioner walks that line will be the story Tuesday if they are able to get to final language then.