November 21, 2010
Connecticut

Hopes to “blow” back proposed wind farm; Prospect residents hold rally to protest proposal

WFSB Hartford, www.wfsb.com 20 November 2010

PROSPECT, Conn. – Some residents in Prospect are trying to keep a proposed wind farm from being built in their area. Saturday, dozens of concerned citizens rallied outside Prospect’s town hall. They camped out with their signs along route 69 in Prospect, and they had plenty of supporters from the sound of things – literally: people driving by honked their horns in support.

“There are hundreds of homes that will be affected, listening to the constant whirling of the blades, the shadow flicker you’ll get from the setting sun. It’s not right,” said Tim Reilly, a Prospect resident.

BNE energy of West Hartford has petitioned the state for a quick approval of its site plan. The project calls for two turbines on 67 undeveloped acres along the Prospect -Bethany line. The company says the town’s high elevation makes it an ideal site for producing this type of clean, renewable energy. When the turbines are operating at full capacity, the company says it will provide 85 percent of the towns residential electric use. That’s in addition to the expected 150 thousand dollars in tax revenue. Still, some neighbors aren’t buying those arguments for building it.

Those protesting against the proposed wind farm say the turbines, which would stand 330 feet up in the air, would be taller than the Statue of Liberty. Katie Lanouette lives 14 hundred feet from the proposed site.

“I don’t think any of us have an issue with alternative energy and wind turbines, but it’s the location of where they’re putting it. They’re putting it too close to all these houses and our neighborhoods, where we play, where we raise our children,” said Lanouette.

With their “Save Our Streets” t-shirts, the protesters passed around a petition. They want the state to hold a public hearing.

Meantime, BNE said it anticipates getting its permits in place by the spring, with the turbines up and running by late next year.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2010/11/21/hopes-to-blow-back-proposed-wind-farm/