June 16, 2005
Opinions
Opinions
What message was Gov. Jim Douglas trying to send by using the blade of a
wind turbine as a table to sign a renewable energy bill Tuesday?
Vermonters who are concerned about a potential onslaught of industrial
wind towers in this state should ask this of the governor.
If he wants commercial wind turbines on top of our mountains, then he
should say so. If he thinks the state needs a policy that Vermonters can
live with, he should lead the effort and bring it to the people.
Douglas’ position on wind power has been murky at best. He says he
supports plans for a commercial wind development on a mountaintop in the
Northeast Kingdom as a “demonstration project.” He also likes “Vermont
scale renewable energy on state-owned lands,” such as the new
small-scale wind tower at the Alburg Welcome Center.
On the larger, more troubling issue of opening up the state’s ridgelines
to 330-foot-tall wind towers by private developers, the governor has
been noncommittal. These strobe-lighted, 30-story-tall wind turbines
have the potential to drastically alter the landscape of this state and
harm some of its most remote and ecologically fragile areas.
Where is the governor? He ought to lay his cards on the table for all of
Vermont to see. Contact the governor
Where does Gov. Jim Douglas stand on wind turbines on Vermont’s
ridgelines? Ask him. His phone number is 828-3333.
Editorial Staff
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2005/06/16/427/