Windmills will yield nothing but blight
At the “meeting” with Invenergy representatives on Oct. 11 at the Interstate Center, we were told that the energy produced would be used locally. However, when really pressed, the rep conceded that there was a “possibility” that it may go to Chicago.
Now, three days later, I read in the Pantagraph that the power will be sent out of state, because it will be too expensive to sell in-state.
Then what does it do for us? Each of the 60 landowners will get $6,000 for each monstrosity that is on their land, and there is supposed to be $500,000 tax money which may be used by schools — which they will gobble up as “free” money in nothing flat.
How many landowners have considered the consequences of what could happen during their 25-year contract? The company could go bankrupt. New technology could make the windmills so obsolete that it is more economical to just let them sit and deteriorate — what a pretty sight!
Is the loss of one-third acre for each windmill, plus the access roads needed, plus the possible divided fields, plus having to pay taxes on the income, enough to make up for the blemished landscape?
And how many of the landowners are young enough to reap very much in their lifetimes, leaving everyone with the blighted skyline?
However, I am sure our County Board members are all in favor of this project. But I wonder how many of them will have a windmill in their back yard to look at for 25 years, or longer?
Anyone living within sight of one of the windmills should get free electric power forever more. On the plus side, this should keep the developers far away from the regions.
John Wagner
Rural Bloomington
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Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
