Holland town concerned about Derby wind project
The Chronicle, 21 December 2011
Kudos to those who have so assiduously opposed the Sheffield and Lowell wind projects. While those battles have apparently been lost, your voices and your help are still needed.
On December 8, the developers of the proposed wind project in Derby filed a petition with the Public Service Board for certificates of public good. While the approximate 500-pageapplication contains some errors (including the municipality in which it’s located), omissions, and questionable assumptions, the developers have requested expedited review.
The town of Holland has serious concerns regarding this project, of which one tower is less than one-half mile from the town border. These concerns include the significant potential for adverse impacts on human health and quality of life from noise (particularly infra sound) and property values. Holland is a small, admittedly poor town which has nonetheless been proactive regarding commercial energy generation facilities. The 2007 Town Plan recommended adoption of a town policy on such facilities, with a policy being adopted earlier this year (a copy provided to the wind developers). An initial review of the PSB application reveals limited response to the policy components and minimal, if any, discussion of the concerns noted above.
The town of Holland can use all the help it can receive to try to ensure another wind project is not pushed through with pro forma legal considerations to mitigate the serious problems it may pose.
Mitch Wonson
Holland
Mitch Wonson is the chairman of the Holland Planning Commission and has been asked by the select board to represent the town at this time.
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/12/24/holland-town-concerned-about-derby-wind-project/