Windmill, straw bale construction before county Thursday

Responding to a law passed in 2005 by the Nevada Legislature, the Douglas County Board of Commissioners will consider permitting the use of two energy conservation measure in residential areas - windmills for energy generation and straw for home construction.

Although there are already homes in Douglas County built with straw bales - touted as an inexpensive but effective alternative construction method by the U.S. Department of Energy - the approval process for building such a house requires an extra step.

The ordinance in front of commissioners Friday should streamline the process, said assistant planner Dirk Goering.

Commissioners will also be considering a measure that will allow the use of windmills to generate electricity on residential parcels of five acres or more. The size of windmills allowed will depend on the size of the plot of land it's built on. Under the new guidelines a five-acre parcel would be allowed to have a 35-foot-tall windmill with a 10-foot-wide rotor.

Douglas County currently allows windmills on certain agricultural parcels.

"We do have an ordinance in place right now, it's just really restrictive," Goering said.

The new ordinance is intended to promote use of wind-powered energy to decrease dependence on fossil fuels, but it could also save some money.

"It's also been designated to help farmers and small businesses to reduce their costs," Goering said.

Goering said some residents are worried about the noise produced by windmills.

Commissioners will discuss the ordinance at Thursday's meeting.