Protect our heritage with wind farm rules
The Journal-Standard, www.journalstandard.com 12 April 2011The Journal-Standard, www.journalstandard.com 12 April 2011
The Journal-Standard, www.journalstandard.com 12 April 2011The Journal-Standard, www.journalstandard.com 12 April 2011
The Ogle County Board will soon vote to adopt or reject the performance standards for wind farms that were developed by the Wind Energy Conversion System Subcommittee. Comments on the standards are being accepted until May 1. The standards protect citizens and hold the industry and developers accountable and responsible.
I commend the board for forming a subcommittee to study the issue and not hastily moving forward without due consideration. The subcommittee’s recommendation is a fair assessment; it gives property owners some rights without infringing upon their neighbor’s rights.
The biggest argument that I’ve heard so far against adopting the subcommittee’s recommendation is that it will put so many restrictions that the company will not want to come here. This is big business and big business equals big money. A few restrictions are not going to deter the scent of money. It will, however, provide some protection for our well-being.
Our farm has been in our family for more than 170 years. I feel responsible for being a good steward of the land; for leaving it better than when we came. One reason we live here is for the peace, serenity, landscape and wildlife. Wind farms change that whole picture. If you are not a farmer, why else would you live in the country, fight snow drifts and drive seven to 20 miles to buy groceries. This is our heritage. Let’s protect it! Let’s set safe and responsible standards.
Contact your district board members and attend the Ogle County Board Meeting on Tuesday, April 19, at 5:30 p.m. at the Ogle County Courthouse, third floor.
Diane Weaver
Polo
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/04/12/protect-our-heritage-with-wind-farm-rules/