During the most recent meeting of the Cherokee County Commission, the Commission Members voted to adopt a resolution, in support of Senate Bill 12 – which would place regulations on wind energy farms within the state of Alabama.

WEIS Radio News spoke with Jinny Shaver, who has spoken out time and again in opposition of the proposed wind energy projects in both Cherokee and Etowah counties

The Shinbone Wind Energy Project in Cherokee County would consist of seven or eight turbines and it has caused a firestorm of controversy, primarily due to a complete lack of regulation in the field of wind energy development in the state

Senate Bill 12, which has been pre-filed by Senator Phil Williams – calls for developers to obtain a permit from the Alabama Department of Environmental Management – and it calls for setbacks and height requirements to be put into place; it would additionally require that the noise levels be less than 50 decibels – and – should any wind turbine remain inactive for a period of one year or more, it would have to be removed by the system operator.

Another point of contention has been the location of the proposed turbines, with many in the area citing the disturbance of the natural beauty of the locale, along with potential harm to the wildlife in the region

Back in November (2013) – Patrick Buckley of Pioneer Green Energy said that although projects in both Cherokee County and Etowah County will likely be pushed back to 2015, due to the extra time needed to secure permits and agreements with utilities which would purchase the power that would be generated – both projects are still on the board.

(Information provided in part by al.com)