As a major wind turbine project in southwest Wisconsin comes closer to fruition, some local residents are rallying in an attempt to stop it. Uplands Wind is comprised of two 300-megawatt wind projects designed by Pattern Energy, a California-based company. Tentatively, construction is slated for 2025 with operations starting in 2027. About 200 people, mostly residents of Grant, Lafayette and Iowa counties, attended a meeting Thursday evening at Belmont Convention Center to hear from speakers opposing the Uplands project. Presenters discussed issues such as land value, alleged health defects caused by wind turbines, as well as preserving the natural beauty of the Driftless Area and its wildlife species. There are not yet any official project maps, said Matt Dallas, communications and media relations representative with Pattern Energy. However, the company’s filings with the Federal Aviation Administration show 181 potential turbine locations across the three counties. Generally, these are clustered around Belmont, Mifflin Township, southeast of Mineral Point and both west and east of Dodgeville.
