Protesters oppose wind energy project in Town of Forest - WKOW 27: Madison, WI Breaking News, Weather and Sports

MADISON (WKOW) -- Protesters came to Madison Tuesday to say they are not OK with a proposed wind energy system project in St. Croix County.

The Public Service Commission held a hearing on Tuesday in Madison.

Emerging Energies is seeking permission from the PSC to create 41 wind turbines in the Town of Forest.

Opponents say they don't have anything against wind turbines, but only if they are residential in size and appropriate for the landscape.

"Residential wind could certainly have a benefit in the renewable portfolio standards, as well as help individual landowners and property owners reduce their electrical rates," Town of Forest resident Brenda Salseg said. "But these things are so huge, so huge in scale. The health impacts and the property impacts are undeniable."

Salseg says officials need to stop ignoring the truth that there are dangers associated with industrial wind turbines.

"Everywhere these industrial wind turbines have been, the health problems and the property devaluation has followed," Salseg said.

The health and environmental impacts of industrial wind turbines have yet to be fully understood and recognized.

The proposed project will affect a population area with more than 650 residents.