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Supervisor voices PFAS, debris concerns as board adopts Town of Wausau wind-solar overlay amendment
Summary
The Marathon County Board of Supervisors adopted the Town of Wausau comprehensive plan amendment that updated the industrial wind and solar overlay map. Supervisor Sandalski spoke against the amendment citing studies she said link turbine materials to PFAS and microplastic shedding; the motion passed with some dissent.
The Marathon County Board on July 22 approved a comprehensive plan amendment for the Town of Wausau that updates the town’s industrial wind and solar overlay map. The motion was made by Supervisor Marash and seconded by Supervisor Ritter.
Supervisor Sandalski, who opposed the amendment, raised environmental and health concerns about wind turbines. She cited an article and a study she said was compiled by New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and reported in the Buffalo News, and said that "these wind turbines are constructed of microplastics, fiberglass, and epoxy" and that as they spin they "shed the materials into the soil." Sandalski said the study reported “an average of 137 pounds of material are shedded from each turbine annually” and raised concerns about bearing failures, leaking lubricants and potential impacts on groundwater and farms.
Sandalski also said, as she understood local projects, that the electricity produced would be put on the regional grid and flow to cities to the south, naming Chicago and Milwaukee, and said she would not support the amendment because of potential impacts on human and animal health, cropland, roadways and property values.
Why it matters: The amendment updates where industrial-scale wind and solar projects could be located under the Town of Wausau comprehensive plan. Residents’ environmental concerns were raised at the supervisory level; board members debated but ultimately approved the amendment.
Outcome: The board adopted the Town of Wausau comprehensive plan amendment (Resolution 43-25). Supervisor Hartinger voted no; the motion otherwise carried.
Caveat on claims: The statements about turbine materials, annual shedding rates, and links to PFAS were presented to the board by Supervisor Sandalski as citing a study and a news article; the board did not present independent verification during the meeting. Those assertions are reported here as statements she made at the July 22 meeting.
Ending: The comprehensive plan amendment was adopted; the county record will show the amendment as passed and any future site-specific projects will return under applicable local and county review processes.
