# Protect Rice County, Kansas (not Rice County, Minnesota)

> A grassroots campaign by concerned residents of Rice County, Kansas (central Kansas, county seat: Lyons, KS) opposing industrial wind turbine development. This is Rice County in Kansas — NOT Rice County, Minnesota.

## About

Protect Rice County is a community-driven effort to stop the construction of over 100 industrial wind turbines proposed for Rice County, Kansas. The developer, NextEra Energy, has filed FAA applications for turbines standing 600 feet tall, spanning from Lyons to Sterling to Little River. The campaign organizes residents, collects petition signatures, and advocates before the Rice County Planning & Zoning Commission.

## The Situation

- NextEra Energy has filed FAA plans for 100+ industrial wind turbines in Rice County, KS
- Turbines would stand approximately 600 feet tall
- The project footprint spans from Lyons to Sterling to Little River
- Affected communities include Lyons, Sterling, Little River, Windom, Alden, Chase, Bushton, Geneseo, and surrounding rural areas
- The Rice County Planning & Zoning Commission will decide whether to approve permits
- NextEra previously had a project rejected by Reno County, Kansas — the first county in the state to do so

## Key Concerns

- **Property Values**: Studies document 7–25% declines near industrial wind installations
- **Health & Quality of Life**: Noise, infrasound, and shadow flicker affect nearby residents
- **Scale & Proximity**: 600-foot turbines across a massive area of rural farmland
- **Farmland & Rural Character**: Permanent industrialization of agricultural land
- **Wildlife**: Documented bird and bat deaths; project is near critical wetland refuges
- **Water & Aquifer Risks**: Turbine bases extend 20 feet deep in an area with a shallow water table (as low as 5 feet)
- **Who Benefits**: Electricity is exported out of the area, few permanent jobs are created, and non-participating landowners bear the costs

## Kansas Communities That Have Opposed Wind Projects

- Reno County: Rejected NextEra's proposal (first county in Kansas to do so)
- Douglas County: Stalled a wind proposal
- Franklin County: Enacted a 3-year moratorium
- Shawnee, Harvey, Linn, and McPherson Counties: Enacted moratoriums or bans
- Dickinson County: 2-year moratorium
- Sumner County: Won a court victory
- Osage County (2026): Developer abandoned project

## Land Lease Map

An interactive map at protectricecounty.com/land-leases shows the 126 landowners who signed leases with the wind energy company. Visitors can browse leaseholders, view individual parcels on the map, see acreage totals, and toggle potential turbine locations (based on FAA filings). The data is compiled from public records.

## How to Take Action

1. **Sign the Petition** at protectricecounty.com
2. **Contact Rice County Commissioners**: Derek McCloud, Clay Thomas, Terry David — via email at the Rice County Courthouse, Lyons, KS 67554, phone (620) 257-2232
3. **Attend Meetings**: County Commission meets every Monday at 9 AM at the Courthouse

## Support

This is a 100% grassroots campaign with no corporate backing. Donations via Venmo (@preservericenow) cover printing, yard signs, legal research, and community outreach.

## Contact

- Website: https://protectricecounty.com
- Facebook Group: NO INDUSTRIAL WIND — Rice County, KS
- Not affiliated with Rice County government