WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. -- The Whatcom County Council this week put a temporary halt on accepting new applications for large-scale wind energy systems.

Council Member Barbara Brenner was careful to point out that this action does not stop residential-sized wind turbines.



The moratorium is for wind energy systems larger than 500 kilowatts, or for multiple wind turbines per parcel with a combined output above 100 kilowatts.

Council Member Ken Mann says the moratorium will last until the council approves its permanent wind energy rules, which he expects will happen within a few months.