MOSCOW — The town of Moscow has approved its first ordinance to regulate wind energy.

Under the new rules, wind turbines are required to be 2,500 feet — less than half a mile — from the nearest permanent or seasonal residence.

Selectman Donald Beane said people at Thursday’s meeting said the setback should be farther, but increasing the distance between turbines and dwellings would prove too restrictive and eliminate development.

The Morning Sentinel reports while a commercial wind project in Moscow is not yet certain, testing poles in the small town and neighboring Caratunk have been gathering wind data for a little more than a year.

Next fall, the potential developers — Maine Windpower LLC and Cianbro Corp. — will know whether a wind farm in the two communities is feasible.