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It may look like an elephant's tusk, but the wind blade that Bill Hallanger holds could help provide about 10 percent of his household electricity needs if he ever gets county approval for a wind turbine project. At left, Nevada Drive neighbor Jayden Curry tries to lift the wind tower. Roger Werth / The Daily News

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Longview man's wind turbine project on hold as county irons out zoning issues

Wednesday, August 27, 2008 10:05 PM PDT

By Tony Lystra

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Four months ago, Longview Realtor Bill Hallanger bought an $8,000 windmill from an Arizona company and set out to put it up on the nearly 8 acres he owns on Nevada Drive. Hallanger figured the project would be a fun experiment. He’d learn about renewable energy and maybe shave a little money off his electric bill.

But the project has taken on a more urgent purpose. Despite looming worries about energy prices and supply shortages, the technology isn’t yet covered by the county’s zoning laws, and that has stalled Hallanger’s effort.

Hallanger, the chairman of Longview’s diking district and an oft-noisy critic of government, said he’s using his windmill project to prod the county into preparing for a potential crush of residents who may want to take advantage of wind or solar power in the not-too-distant future.

Cowlitz County officials said this week Hallanger can’t yet put the windmill up because its zoning ordinances don’t address basic questions, such as noise and design. Hallanger could apply for a special use permit, Commissioner George Raiter said, but that could prove expensive and time-consuming — and there’s no guarantee the permit would be granted.

The county’s Building and Planning Department formed an advisory group last month to write policies for renewable energy. The panel, Raiter said, may have a draft policy before the county’s planning commission in the next two months.

“You can’t issue permits on something without knowing impacts,” Raiter said Tuesday. “It affects your neighbors and the environment to some extent.”

Hallanger studied forestry in college, but he says he’s no zealous environmentalist.

“When I first started this everybody looked at me and said, ‘You? Green? Give me a break.’ I think I’m a greenie. But people who know me shake their head and say ‘Bill, that’s not you.’ ”

But, Hallanger said, the windmill would supply about 10 percent of his household’s electricity.

Manufactured by an Arizona company called Skystream, the windmill is powered by 6-foot blades and would rise 45 feet above the ground. The sound of the turbine, he said, is barely audible from 20 or 30 feet away. Hallanger said his nearest neighbor’s property line is about 150 feet from the site where he’ll put the windmill up.

That the county doesn’t have a zoning policy for renewable energy amounts to “bad public policy,” Hallanger said Tuesday.

“I’m going to continue to jump in with both feet and try to make life miserable for the commissioners to get them to move ahead,” he said.

Hallanger, who has attended the energy panel’s meetings, said its members have “barely talked about zoning issues” and that the county is moving too slowly.

“If this committee can get anything to the planning commission at the rate they’re going, I would be amazed,” he said.

Cowlitz County isn’t the only small government trying to figure out how to handle the technology. The Washington Post reported last week that a Maryland resident wanting to build a wind turbine ran into similar problems. A county official had to create a form for the application, the Post story said.

“I think a lot of communities are going through this,” Cowlitz County Commissioner Axel Swanson said Tuesday. “It doesn’t happen overnight. We’re trying to get there.”

Related article:

Kelso man erects his own wind turbine  (Feb. 9)

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AnotherLameOpinion wrote on Aug 27, 2008 5:04 AM:

" In this day of high fuel/energy prices, I feel it's just ridiculous that counties haven't started addressing this yet. Way to go!!! I see we're still stuck in the twentieth century and set on remaining there for a while. "

racingrocks wrote on Aug 27, 2008 5:19 AM:

" Leave it to cowlitz county to play politics.I would suspect that by "addressing zoning issues" they really mean " we need to find a way to tax him". They may also be disappointed that the idea was not theirs first. "

98626 wrote on Aug 27, 2008 5:53 AM:

" You go Bill!!! "

mhmltn wrote on Aug 27, 2008 6:12 AM:

" The only thing that the commissioners want to do is figure out how to get tax from this free energy.Give them time and the free energy will cost more than the PUD now. "

IN MY OPINION wrote on Aug 27, 2008 6:14 AM:

" The county should have to reimburse him the money lost while they are "meeting" about it. Sounds like a great case for the courts!! "

roudy russ wrote on Aug 27, 2008 6:26 AM:

" This is the stupidest thing I have ever heard of! What the Hell is wrong with a windmill? I really laughed at the statement about how it might affect the enviroment,Hmm it would affect it good?!? What dumb people. "

KelsoLesbian wrote on Aug 27, 2008 7:21 AM:

" My goal is to own some land with some renewable energy and some animals... someday. Thank you Bill for taking the first steps to make sure my life plans go easier in the next few years. "

red3953 wrote on Aug 27, 2008 7:32 AM:

" Let him put it up!When you see his meter turning backwards, you will want one too. "

momto1 wrote on Aug 27, 2008 7:44 AM:

" This is probably PUD not wanting to share power. I think this is a great idea and how can they say it is noisy when this man has no real near neighbors? I hope they approve this and get with the time. "

kelsograd wrote on Aug 27, 2008 8:38 AM:

" Interesting story; if there is no law regarding windmills why does he need permission? "

cheney119 wrote on Aug 27, 2008 8:48 AM:

" You cant issue permits on something without knowing impacts, Raiter said Tuesday. It affects your neighbors and the environment to some extent. If this is true then give a temporary permit and study the effects. Why can't the county ever get out in front on these zoning issues. Windpower on the Cowlitz River can be very powerful, riding my bicycle south from Rocky Point down wind I have exceeded 26 mph during high pressure and during low pressure it blows just as hard from the south. This will make profit given the high power rates we have now. "

SPARROW wrote on Aug 27, 2008 8:51 AM:

" This fun and learning experiment by Mr. Hallanger needs to be put put on the back burner unless he wants to foot the bill for all the expenses incurred to do all the necessary studies and reports required for this type of project, before it is dumped into the laps of our County Building and Planning Departments. This type of project has been done in several other areas. Take a look at some of the videos from the windmills in Palm Springs on You Tube. This one project does not warrant the financial burden for one property owner who wants to shave 10% off his power bill. These things can present hazards and impact to an area and need to have a larger scope of approvals and permits than for one project. If you currently are awaiting approval for your chiminey repair permit, or waiting for the inspector to look at your roomaddition so you can close it up before winter, you can thank this project for making you wait another 6 months before inspection while they are hashing out what to do with this fun project. The app. of a project should be responsible for supplying these reports and studies before it is presented, should not be the expense of the Co, especially for an individual windmill to be erected on private property. Reports done for this project are likely to be usless for the next applicant anyway. New location, new rules. "

greenbean wrote on Aug 27, 2008 8:52 AM:

" The county should have been pro-active on this and developed zoning before a request came in. If other counties are dealing with this issue as well, it shouldn't be too difficult to look at zoning rules they have created as a starting point. They should do this quickly, and let Mr. Hallanger get that wind turbine up! For all the emphasis on clean energy, we can't be stopping people who are actually willing to invest and do it. "

bert wrote on Aug 27, 2008 8:54 AM:

" Another example of over zealous government control. I wish you luck Bill. What they really want to figure out is how to tax you. Remember when there was some discussion several years ago about putting meters on private wells and charging you for pumping your own water. Same thing applies here but they want to get ahead of the game this time. "

Rastusracing wrote on Aug 27, 2008 9:20 AM:

" I agree with alot of comments here, but I think I'm a little middle of the road here. I do think our county needs to address certain issues, such as how this will impact our views and saftey concerns, however lets not reinvent the wheel here. We are way behind other countys around our great country. Dont be to proud, plagerize this thing and then modify it to meet our needs and let the man have his windmill. Hell we wonder why our government cant seem to get things done? Ask yourself this, if this were a hotel in Vegas, how long would this take? When big money is involved in these things it takes off like wild fire, but when that average Joes who have more community involvement and in some ways more at stake are involved, well then we must be a slave to the political machines stupidity. Cowlitz county wake up and get ahead of all these issues, they are coming and none to soon. Boeing recently surpassed the 40% efficiency mark in the solar power arena, a huge step forward, gee what direction do you think the country is heading.....wake up and do your jobs. Go Bill Go!!!! "

columbian wrote on Aug 27, 2008 9:23 AM:

" DUMB AND DUMBER "

Rastusracing wrote on Aug 27, 2008 9:25 AM:

" In the Area News is an article that says our beloved PUD is investing millions in their own wind power progect and yet it wont lower rates for the Cowlitz residents in 09????? IRONY SUCKS HUH? Gee Bill if you cant beat em.....join em......wait, no Bill blaze the trail for the rest of us, we will certainly follow your lead. "

justice4all wrote on Aug 27, 2008 9:38 AM:

" If there is no ordinances against it I say "You go Bill!" let the county figure out why it isn't a good thing. I thought we saw a story not too long ago about another local man who had something like this already up and running. Like it has been said before me, the county just wants to get all its' fees and taxes in place first. I live outside the city and am on a septic system. I hear that the commissioners are working on regulations requiring inspections and pumping every 3 years. I am sure that inspection won't be free and I figure they must have asked the guy that owns the local pumping business how often a system needs pumped. We go every ten years and still have never had a back up. Guess it's true that a man never really owns his property, we just rent it from the government and they regulate, tax and fee us to the poor house. "

Rosey Glasses wrote on Aug 27, 2008 9:46 AM:

" This is something which time has come, errr past come. We should all be looking at the future of energy. I for one have looked into the idea and will gladly put up a small wind turbine like this in my yard, or two. I have looked at several options on how and what type of wind power to apply to my property. I believe the government worries that when people produce their own energy it will take away from their tax base... OH WELL I say. It is the wave of the future. does one need a permit to put up solar panels? I would love to see the day that those who want to be self sufficient on their property to be able to, not be held back by our local leaches. "

country gal wrote on Aug 27, 2008 9:46 AM:

" This is getting ridiculous! I agree with a lot of comments here and I especially like Rastusracing comments! Go Bill Go! BLAZE THE TRAIL! I, for one, will follow your lead! I am tired of the state and county officials not helping for the people, by the people and of the people! "

Gondolapete wrote on Aug 27, 2008 10:15 AM:

" My only pet peeve is the term "Renewable energy" It does not even make sense. Energy created, is energy created, whether it be from oil, hyrdo, wind, or solar, or coal, it still has to be generated. "

Reality wrote on Aug 27, 2008 10:17 AM:

" Yes country gal - most of these comments are ridiculous. Those government people should put all their resources into things like this rather than your stupid building permit. Perhaps if the whiney taxpayers were willing to pay enough to support things like this, they would happen. Yet you balk at paying even enough to ensure a fire truck may get to your little dumps. Get real folks! "

cuz wrote on Aug 27, 2008 10:22 AM:

" I say put it up, screw the county and PUD. If I had the property to do this, I would. "

cynic954 wrote on Aug 27, 2008 10:43 AM:

" How did Mr. Sims get his permit to install his wind generator. Read the story from 02-09-2008. This is nothing but discrimanation against an out spoken critic of county goverment. This is how the county reacts to people who stand up to them and voice their opinion. "

LongviewFam wrote on Aug 27, 2008 10:49 AM:

" Just financially speaking (not taking the green factor into account) $8,000 for only 10% savings is a pretty big investment for your average homeowner. I'm all for green but that would take a long time--like 20+ years--for that investment to pay off. By the time it's paid for itself we'll have way better technology for this kind of stuff. We've been looking into wind turbines for some time and we're seeing a greater savings than 10%. Might want to shop around next time, Bill. Our hats are off to you for leading the charge though! "

DW wrote on Aug 27, 2008 10:52 AM:

" Oh wait, what if is hurts a birdie?? What if it looks like space aliens??
What about protected worms and the marbled merlet?? Good God man, just build the thing and start making power. Why does the government have to be so involved that a person has to have permission to wipe your you know what. And cheney isn't the speed limit by rocky point road 25 mph. Are you admitting to breaking speed limit laws on your bicycle?? "

Caddyshack wrote on Aug 27, 2008 11:13 AM:

" To those of you making negative comments about the PUD regarding this story...this is a Cowlitz County permitting issue. Cowlitz PUD has no say in it. They are completely different organizations, governed by seperate boards that we elect. "

Stella wrote on Aug 27, 2008 11:38 AM:

" RE: Longview Fam - There is an IRS tax deduction of up to $3,000 for installing renewable energy. I am planning on investing in solar power for my home next year. T "

mole wrote on Aug 27, 2008 11:38 AM:

" an article,about the P.U.D..says they have thier own wind power farm started!!!SO IF ANYONE ELSE TRIES THIS,THE COUNTY PULLS A DOUBLE STANDARD.SOLAR AND WIND POWER YES,MEANS LESS OVERSEA OIL DEMAND.SIMPLE MATH,IT'S THE 21ST CENTURY,START THINKING!!!!! "

Lucky wrote on Aug 27, 2008 11:46 AM:

" As an electrician for 22 years green power absolutly fascinates me. Cowlitz County's planning & building department wouldn't be who they are if they were proactive and up to the times, so no surprises there. The article is interesting and says this windmill would supply about 10% of Mr. Hallanger's power, which is great. I'd like to point out that for a homeowner solar power is probably a better way to go right now. I recently helped a relative in the Palm Springs, CA area install one such system. We installed a 2KW system with rooftop mounted solar panels. The materials cost about $13,000 including the roofer's bill to make the roof penetrations. You do have to consider the average CA home has a much lower demand than an average Western WA home but, Here's the beauty of it... The PUD will buy the power you put back on the grid at about double what you pay the PUD for power, plus you get paid for every Kilowatt Hour you produce in the form of a check each year as part of some green energy act, and the federal government currently gives you a $2000 dollar tax credit for any such solar system installed that costs over $7000 on your tax return. To make a long story a bit shorter, and not considering the $2000 tax credit this 2KW sytem is paying for about 85% of my relatives annual power bill. "

SPARROW wrote on Aug 27, 2008 11:58 AM:

" Many of these comments just confirm the reason we need some type of structure and education for the future development in this area. The neathandral sense of what is allowed without concern of "green" issues makes you all a bunch of hipocrits. Maybe the construction of this particular windmil poses no threat or opposition from his neighbors. But, would you be giving your approval so fast if it was your neighbor wanting to do this if you had our kids swingset near the property line where six foot blades were spinning 24/7. Do you think his homeowners insurance will cover liability for injury or damages caused by this windmill when it is installed without approval and permits. NO. The opinion of some is to go ahead and put it up, see what happens! How about if everyone in the city and county decided to follow suit! Advising someone to do whatever they want on their property without approval makes me happy I do not live next door to you. I would think it fiesable and affordable for the county to consider small windmills for private use on large parcels of property, but this permit and zoning laws will cost all of us and will be of no use for the next applicant. At this point inspections would have to be done on a state level and we will pay for that too. What about the contractor that constructs this? "

Jungle George wrote on Aug 27, 2008 12:25 PM:

" Solution is very easy. The Cowlitz County planning website states that
"OIL DERRICKS" are exempt from building permits. Hook up the windmill to a small pump in the ground and call it an "OIL DERRICK". So how come "OIL DERRICKS" are exempt from building permits, but not windmills? "

jackie wrote on Aug 27, 2008 12:50 PM:

" I agree and disagree with Sparrow. If this was in a residential neighborhood, it would create numurous problems. But on eight acers, it should be no problem. Reasonable regulations should be established for this kind of structurs.

Sparrow, however, sounds like he works for the planning department and is worried about running out of work in this recession. "

ann123 wrote on Aug 27, 2008 1:00 PM:

" Hi Billy Boy, You go get them. I want to do wind power at our house we have lots of land also cant even see our neighbors. Tried of paying the PUD for poor service we lose power all the time where we live. Maybe if we had wind power we would have better service also. we probley would not get the permits also. I hope the daily news keeps track of your story and will let the public know how it goes for you. "

skeezix wrote on Aug 27, 2008 2:02 PM:

" So...I'm looking at the photo for this story and would say that building looks suspiciously like a barn. How long has it been illegal to have a windmill on a farm? Don't the two go hand in hand? "

My Kids' Mom wrote on Aug 27, 2008 2:52 PM:

" Daily News: apparently this topic would be a great one to keep the community updated on. I know for our family we've talked a lot about how the general public could create their own energy on an individual basis....sounds like we're not the only one wondering what we can do about the inevitable need to diversify energy on a private basis. Please keep up posted. Thanks for this article. "

Billy Hill wrote on Aug 27, 2008 2:54 PM:

" Trying to get anything done with the Democrat controled government entities in this area are almost impossible. I say do what the rest of us are doing.....just ignore them and do as you wish. Put her up and start generatin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "

viper wrote on Aug 27, 2008 4:18 PM:

" sparrow if you read this right the blades will be 45 feet in the air are your kids that tall? the goverment always talks about everyone going green but are the first to stop it . if a home owner is willing to foot the bill then he should be able to simple thats why I won't own a home again as everyone can tell you how it has to look . this is just a matter of them working up a unfair tax schedule with more in permit cost to keep you from doing it! by the time there done taxing it, it will still cost you everything as the goverment don't want anyone to get ahead and make a profit good luck bill I've dealt with those jerks before I don't think anyone has a degree and if they do they don't know how to use it : Viper "

El Gabilon wrote on Aug 27, 2008 4:29 PM:

" Replace the Commissioners! The county is getting close to being what it is in parts of England. All roofs must be the same color. At the Fairways Apartments you cannot have a TV Dish. Next they will be reverting to the forcing of left handers to become right handers as they did in the 1930s. Rules and regulations make some sense, especially when they are coupled with "common sense". We do think however that Mr. Hallanger wasted his $8,000 as there are other ways of cutting electric costs without putting up a windmill. Using a 12 volt circuit for TV, radio, lights will considerably reduce ones bill. Our bill averages $8.00 in the summer and we expect a $15 bill in winter. An automobile or marine battery with a solar energy panel costing around $19 can provide all one needs for lighting so long as it is not used for reading. Cutting power to computers, radios, etc when not in use also reduces costs. One needs only to adjust to not using current when it is not necessary to do so. Had we put up an $8,000 windmill it would have taken us (at an average bill of $10 per month) 66 years to recover our costs. "

Louie wrote on Aug 27, 2008 6:41 PM:

" Good for you Bill. Someone needs to make these commissioners earn their pay.
Good luck. "

ratkins wrote on Aug 27, 2008 7:11 PM:

" What does it take to get this sort of thing approved? I would have assumed that a person could have the types of power sources he or she wants on their own land, but thats what i get for assuming. What is the county afraid of? "

Eco2 wrote on Aug 28, 2008 9:17 AM:

" There are several good points here. But consider what “sparrow” has said.
This property is not in the middle of nowhere. It is in the middle of a residential neighborhood. There might be 8 acres, but has any one of you looked at a county map to see the location? Look at the satellite view and you will see it is covered with trees. The only area that he will be able to put the wind generator up is close to houses. It may be 45' up in the air but what if a blade breaks or comes loose. Would you want that thing being projected at your yard? It does not take a lot of speed to send a projectile a long way, especially when it is starting 45’ above ground! I can throw a baseball that far.
Has anyone actually asked his neighbors if they have any concerns? I know someone who lives nearby, and they have not been asked!
Has anyone considered the ramifications on the surrounding property values? Would you want to live next to a wind farm?
The reason the county has to examine these things is that once the OK has been given, it is nearly impossible to revoke the permission. Once 1 goes up what is to prevent the addition of 50 more?
Think about it! "

ry wrote on Aug 28, 2008 9:33 AM:

" Some of this info is misrepresenting, If the wind is right Bill will be producing much more then 10%, and you got to remember that different properties have several buildings and consume more power. There is also incentives through the state that the power co will pay a higher rate for every kw bill would produce. This wind turbine is a engineered and UL from a manufacturer, its not like he's building it from scrap "

MOLE wrote on Aug 29, 2008 10:38 AM:

" BILLY HILL:just watch the new laws pertaining to solar,wind and all alternative ways to produce power for homes and cars other than FOSSIL POWER!It is going to surprise the nay sayers.go to[hho-info]for stuff to raise the mileage considerably.VERY COOL!! "

MOLE wrote on Aug 29, 2008 10:50 AM:

" ECO2:chage your blog name to,WHAT IF,there are dangers in everything,the windmills,like he has,has wind dampeners and vibration brakes.meaning to much spin it slows down automaticaly!Accidents do happen,if more go up you should be esstatic,eco friendly.as for 45 feet in the air,that is just a little higher than a phone pole,he might not have to go that high. "

Eco wrote on Aug 29, 2008 12:56 PM:

" MOLE, don’t get me wrong. I think he has the right idea. He is just trying to do it in the wrong place. If his 8 acres were out in the country side Go for it. But in a residential neighborhood? "

MOLE wrote on Aug 29, 2008 9:53 PM:

" I don't know,the lay of the land or what surrounds it,my fault.I have had eight acres,are they that ugly?In the next five years or so windmills will be smaller,with more output.I live in a sub division,with to many rules.So I need to do solar,with the new windmills as added power,with storage batteries and inferters to make 12 volt 110.for t.v. ,lights etc when my cooking stove and fridge goes," propane". "

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