January 13, 2011
Michigan

Wind seminar planned

By David Frownfelder, Daily Telegram, www.lenconnect.com 13 January 2011

RIGA TWP., Mich. – The Interstate Informed Citizens Coalition, a newly formed group opposing the location of wind turbines in Riga, Ogden and Fairfield townships, will host a seminar Feb. 5 at the Blissfield Middle School.

The seminar, titled “Living in the Grid: Industrial Wind Turbines and You,” will begin at 9 a.m., will include a catered lunch and is scheduled to conclude by 3:30 p.m.

Joshua Nolan, one of the group’s organizers, invited the Riga Township Board and Planning Commission and the general public to the seminar, which he said will feature national experts on the health, safety and welfare effects of industrial wind energy production. The planning commission is drafting an ordinance to the township’s zoning laws that will cover wind turbines.

Kevon Martis, a former member of the Riga Township Planning Commission, will be the moderator. He said Tom Stacy of savewesternoh.org will be speaking on the science of wind energy and whether it can accomplish the environmental goals it is tasked with achieving.

In addition, Mike McCann, a property appraiser from Chicago, will talk about the effects the wind farms have on property values. Rob Rand, an acoustic engineer from Maine, will discuss community noise issues associated with a close proximity to industrial wind turbines. He will play recordings of various examples of problematic noise and how to mitigate these issues.

Tom Esordi, a principal with the law firm of Kitch, Drutchas, Wagner, Valitutti & Sherbrook in Detroit, will speak on legal options available to townships when it comes to regulating wind installations. Esordi focuses his practice on commercial interests.

In the information notification, Martis and Nolan said the seminar is being scheduled at a separate time from township board meetings because the group did not wish to monopolize the board or the commission meetings.

Topics covered at the free seminar will also include the effect of industrial wind farms on residential property values and noise and vibration levels emitted by industrial wind turbines. Time will be set aside for a question-and-answer session.

The seminar is free, but seating is limited. For more information, e-mail InterstateInformedCitizen@gmail.com or call 866-699-5824.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/01/13/wind-seminar-planned/