Five years ago the hills and mountains of Southeast Idaho were a beautiful site to see on the horizon. I remember growing up and looking towards the east seeing the sun come up over the mountains and thinking to myself what a beautiful site it was, and how lucky I was to be living in a place of such calm and beauty.
Then, a few years ago I remember seeing the white towers start appearing on top of the mountains to the east of Idaho Falls. First there were six, then ten, now there are so many I don’t even count them any more. It is a sad scar on such a beautiful part of the world.
I’m not against wind power. Wind power is a great clean source of energy. It is an alternative to water and coal power. But if it is going to be used, it can and should be done so without destroying a valuable asset like the scenic views of 100% of the citizens population.
I recently read about a new wind farm being planned for development in Bingham County. Ridgeline Energy wants to start developing the wind farm as soon as possible. If they get to place their windmills where they are currently planned, that will destroy another beautiful view so unique and valuable to Southeast Idaho.
KIDK has a picture of the planned development here: http://media.kidk.com/images/figure1-2.jpg
The money makers behind Ridgeline Energy will likely include Steve Voorhees (founder) and Dennis Meany (president).
The profiles of the individuals involved with Ridgeline Energy listed on their website (including founder, president, vice presidents, directors, etc – a total of 15 individuals) reference numerous states, including California, Vermont, New York, Texas, Minnesota, etc only two individuals indicating a connection with Idaho – one of them being a Project Manager by the name of Randy Gardner.
I can’t figure out why we let these people in to take advantage of and destroy our resources and scenery. If they don’t live here, they won’t care a lick about what the place looks like, only about making a buck.
The local government is destroying a valuable asset by allowing these wind farms to continue to develop without restricting the view of the windmills. If we don’t make some changes to how things are managed, this beautiful location we live in will continue to erode and years from now we won’t be able to recognize our own home town.
by Joe Eagle
12 May 2008
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2008/05/12/wind-farm-profiteers-damaging-southeast-idaho/