Labette County commissioners mentioned briefly Monday that they want to learn more about the Neosho Ridge Wind project in the Galesburg area.

The brief discussion was toward the end of Emergency Management Director Charlie Morse’s appointment. Morse lives in the Erie area.

Morse said one of the 139 wind turbines will be within 1,000 feet of his foundation. He didn’t sign a lease with Apex Clean Energy, which is developing the project that could create 302 megawatts of electricity.

Morse said Ford County recently established setbacks of 2,000 feet from nonparticipating property lines. Commissioner Lonie Addis said Ford County is zoned, so the county government has more control over such issues. Addis said he does not support countywide zoning in Labette County.

The city of Parsons is gathering information on the wind project, too, because the turbines would be close to Lake Parsons and they could impact migratory birds.

(Read more: Parsons Sun)