March 21, 2007
Minnesota
Minnesota
It’s been in the works for several months and many in the area still aren’t warming up to the idea of a wind farm in their back yard.
Investors say the concerns are a bunch of hot air but some people won’t give up the fight until they blow out of town.
The people who want to put up these giant turbines say the whole project is win, win, good for the environment and for Kenyon.
But several people who live in the area say they feel like the whole thing is being shoved down their throat and no one is taking them seriously.
Kenyon resident Chris Mallery says, “We all brought up these concerns and we were all told that these were inflammatory and that these issues don’t exist.”
Some of those concerns for local homeowners are noise, dropping property values, and even a loss of TV reception.
But representatives from Kenyon Wind say there a lot of untruths out there about wind turbines and they’re committed to taking care of any minor inconveniences residents have.
Their plan is to fill a rural Kenyon Farm site with nine 402 foot tall wind turbines.
But no matter how much energy they may create, some don’t want the giant blades turning in their neighborhood.
Kenyon resident Sara Kuam says, “I feel that if the setbacks were increased people wouldn’t have to feel that their safety has been compromised by having these so close to us.”
Kenyon Wind Investor John Daniels says, “The project is safe. We’re meeting and exceeding all of the setback requirements, the sound and safety requirements, and this is going to be a terrific project that I think Kenyon is going to be very proud of.”
Project investors say now is the right time to move into alternative energy sources to help protect the environment.
Critics argue that turbines only have a small effect, making them not worth the headache.
Tonight’s public meeting was just one more required step for the company as they move toward getting a permit to begin the project.
By Chris Woodard
KTTC TV
20 March 2007
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/03/21/fighting-over-wind/