What Is the Columbia Wind Project?
The Columbia Wind Project is a proposal from Alliant Energy to build a large industrial wind farm in rural Columbia County. The plan includes dozens of turbines approximately 700 feet tall — significantly taller than any turbines currently operating in Wisconsin. This is taller than the Seattle Space Needle. This project is experimental.
​
The project footprint covers farmland, wetlands, lowlands, and areas surrounding the Crawfish River, a navigable waterway within the Rock River watershed. The site also sits within a major migratory bird corridor and near a private airstrip that is used regularly.
​
Because of the size of the turbines and the location, the project requires review by the Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC) and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). These agencies must evaluate potential impacts on:
​
-
local residents
-
wildlife and habitat
-
wetlands and waterways
-
aviation safety
-
rural landscape and land use
The review process is just beginning, and the PSC is currently accepting public comments from residents.
​
Why People Are Concerned
​
Community members have raised questions about:
​
-
the height and scale of the turbines
-
impacts on wetlands, the Crawfish River, and the Rock River watershed
-
effects on migratory birds, eagles, and herons
-
proximity to homes, farms, and a nearby airstrip
-
noise, shadow flicker, and safety setbacks
-
long‑term land use and property values
Residents want to ensure the project receives a full, transparent, site‑specific environmental review before any decisions are made.
Where the Project Stands Now
​
The PSC has not approved the project. They are currently preparing an Environmental Assessment (EA) and are gathering public input.
​
If you want to help, you don’t need to be an expert.
​​
Just share what you personally see on the land, such as:
​
-
standing water in fields
-
areas that flood after rain
-
wetlands that stay wet or mucky
-
low spots that hold water
-
wildlife you’ve seen (cranes, owls, hawks, eagles, bats, deer, waterfowl)
-
badgers, wolves, fox, bobcats
-
migratory birds moving through the area
-
ditches or swales that drain toward the Crawfish River
-
spots where water flows after storms
-
soft, saturated, or floodplain‑like soil
-
any place where the land connects to Mud Lake, Grassy Lake, or the Crawfish
These are site‑specific environmental facts — the exact kind of information the PSC is required to consider.
​
Anyone can submit a comment by searching the docket number: 9836‑CE‑100
​
To take further action, CLICK HERE.​