August 3, 2011
Arizona, Letters

Wind farm off to a bad start

Williams News, www.williamsnews.com 2 August 2011

Your federal and state tax dollars are now being used for the Perrin Ranch Industrial Wind Energy Project. And, like a good neighbor, NextEra Energy Resources, LLC out of Juno Beach, Fla. and Blattner Energy, Inc. out of Avon, Minn. are there.

They are ready and willing to use the 30 percent federal subsidy, 30 percent of perhaps $300 million equals $100 million and then the 10 percent state subsidy, 10 percent of perhaps $300 million equals $30 million.

A portion of Espee Road has already been graded (grading was not done by the county) and construction of six temporary water tanks (not mentioned in the original conditional use application) has begun.

The “good neighbor” letter from Perrin Ranch Wind, LLC dated July 15, 2011 states they have received the necessary permits and approval to proceed with construction. Construction began on or about July 18, 2011.

As of July 21, 2011, no permits had been issued by the county.

There was miscommunication between the county and the contractor – but no worry, all is well. No fine, no foul.

I was raised to respect and obey the rules, not to bend the rules. That will only lead to chaos.

Some questions that I have: who exactly do our county public works rules and laws apply to? Does enforcing those rules and laws apply to all of us equally? Or, does the amount you pay for a permit make a difference?

So this is how the project starts. Who knows what our truthful, honest, good neighbors have in store for us? Once a turbine is up and misplaced, what then?

Katherine Lara

Member of Canyon Country Coalition, LLC

Williams


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/08/03/wind-farm-off-to-a-bad-start/