May 10, 2012
Letters, Maryland

The wind turbines they want won’t be in their back yards

Cumberland Times-News, times-news.com 9 May 2012

After reading Mr. Robert Spangler’s letter regarding his enthused motivation for the quick inception of wind development in Garrett County and steadfast commitment to achieving this goal, I pondered what his true motivation for such actions may be (“No more property tax hikes in Garrett County,” April 25 Times-News).

I soon discovered that he and another family, who have equal interest in seeing the rise of the wind turbines, collectively hold in excess of 207 acres on which the turbines are proposed to be constructed.

As a resident of Garrett County who will be directly affected by the construction, I am passionately opposed to the turbine installations, as are the majority of neighbors who live along our road and surrounding area.

Understand that we are not opposed to wind development or any other “green” energy generation ideas. We clearly understand that it is imperative for us, not only as a county or state, but as a country to move forward with alternate energy planning and development concepts, but at what cost and whose expense?

I chose to live nestled in Garrett County among the wildlife that my family and I enjoy seeing each and every day, but never would have guessed when we moved on Little Savage Mountain 13 years ago that we would potentially have to deal with the threat of turbines literally in our back yard.

As with most families, we work hard to own a home in this area and not without sacrifice. However, our single biggest investment which sits on only four acres, is now being threatened by a few with a taste for avarice.

Our neighbors understand and are disturbed by the negative economic impact this proposal would create for each of us, and feel at a loss as well. Property values can be reduced as much as 50 percent if they even sell at all.

I don’t believe that having a loud warbling 500-foot wind turbine in a back yard would be on any home buyer’s wish list. The probable construction of the turbines is causing some to contemplate moving from the area and maybe even the state.

This brings me to the aforementioned large land holders. Although they own the land, they do not live in the proposed construction areas.

They are as far away as Mountain Lake Park, Friendsville, Myersville and Marion Station. Their houses will not be reduced in value, their wildlife will not be killed or forced to migrate elsewhere, and they will not hear the constant warbling of the turbine blades.

This is not a matter of moving forward with alternate energy sources, but one of greed. If the turbines come to fruition, they will indeed yield these landholders, who do not live near the sites, a handsome return.

But try to put a turbine in their back yard and … .

Bill Dolchan

Frostburg

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/05/10/the-wind-turbines-they-want-wont-be-in-their-back-yards/