September 7, 2011
Letters, Massachusetts

Wind bill’s threat to local control

www.metrowestdailynews.com 7 September 2011

WESRA, An Act Relative to Comprehensive Siting Reform for Land Based Wind Projects, represents unbridled public subsidies committed to the unrestrained development of unreliable and cost-prohibitive wind energy. WESRA is a wind developer’s “Get rich quick scheme” that by design erodes current public and environmental protections. WESRA will increase our taxes needed as life support for Big Wind.

Excerpted from the proposed Mass State Wind Turbine Siting Reform Act:

“The wind energy permitting board, in making its decision on the application, shall apply all applicable local by-laws and ordinances, including by-laws regulating construction in and around and the disturbance of, wetlands and other environmentally sensitive areas. The wind energy permitting board shall consider the recommendations of the local boards and may assess fees on wind energy facility applicants to retain consultants under section 53G of chapter 44. The board may waive zoning and nonzoning requirements of the municipality’s local laws, regulations, policies or other regulatory requirements.” continue reading: http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/Senate/S01666.

WESRA’s special interest language mandates publicly-funded wind turbines, roads and transmission lines in the state in which its architects sell and install these components. WESRA is conceived and coauthored by a Boston-based wind developer who serves as Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick’s appointed Adviser on Green Energy policy. WESRA would allow Governor Patrick’s adviser, First Wind CEO and president to eliminate all obstacles to his unlimited and unmerited development and profit potential. As WESRA eliminates all environmental and public protections, set-backs, height and use restrictions that currently provide assurance of the health and safety of Massachusetts citizens.

Please respond to this intolerable attack on local control by transference of your private property rights, liberties, current public and environmental protections, by WESRA. Ask your representatives in the legislature to Vote “No” on WESRA to protect private property rights.

BARBARA DURKIN,

Northborough


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/09/07/wind-bills-threat-to-local-control/