January 11, 2012
Letters, Vermont

Put end to industrial wind farm folly

www.burlingtonfreepress.com 11 January 2012

The governor is currently considering allowing his utility-scale wind turbine corporate chums to seize our public lands, as if private lands aren’t enough. Will the seizure of the public waters of Lake Champlain be the next turbine target? Will hunting and fishing privileges be restricted within the planned 200-miles of ridgeline utility-scale wind facilities? Do we want to be leaders in natural resource destruction because some consider man-made utility-scale wind turbines more beautiful than Vermont’s natural resources, or would we rather be known for our environmental stewardship and energy conservation?

Solar power projects have less expensive construction footprints, fewer moving parts, and require minimal maintenance when compared to utility-scale wind projects. Moreover, smaller scale solar projects do not adversely affect our natural resources, do not depress property values, and can be installed on megastores, parking garages and other flat rooftops. Some also say that solar power is more predictable in Vermont and adapts more easily to local climatic nuances than wind power, which is seasonal and highly localized.

Would Vermonters rather lead the nation in environmental destruction and water degradation or lead the nation in innovative thinking and integrate solar energy generation into our building constructions?

Help put an end to this folly. Please contact your elected officials and ask that utility-scale wind turbine construction in Lowell and other areas stop now.

MICHAEL GOHL
Hardwick


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/11/put-end-to-industrial-wind-farm-folly/