Environmental concern begins in my back yard
The Chronicle Journal, www.chroniclejournal.com 9 July 2011
The Chronicle Journal, www.chroniclejournal.com 9 July 2011
The letter of July 5, Coal and Wind, asks why those concerned with the proposed Big Thunder Wind Park do not appear to be concerned with the coal-burning generating station and its environmental impacts. The inference is that those concerned with the BTWP are not really concerned about the environment. But appearances can be deceiving.
I cannot speak for everyone, only myself. I am concerned with environmental issues, including air pollution from coal-, oil- and natural gas-fuelled generating stations. I am concerned with pollution from cars and pickup trucks. I am concerned with water quality, and what individuals, municipalities and industry put in our lakes and rivers. I am concerned enough to learn more, and earned a Master’s degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering.
But I can’t deal with everything, and I can’t fix all the problems alone. What I am dealing with is what is proposed in my back yard – an industrial wind facility with dozens – perhaps hundreds, eventually – of 450-foot structures, which emit 105dB sound, and will result in land, water and wildlife degradation.
This facility is not needed for power, it is located in a way that appears to be most impactive, and the proponent won’t provide information on why it cannot be moved to other locations on the 17,000 acres.
I hope that everyone does their part for the environment, big or small, local or global. A good place to start is your own back yard.
Karl Piirik
Thunder Bay
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/07/09/environmental-concern-begins-in-my-back-yard/