October 13, 2012
Vermont

Hundreds rally against big wind projects

By Lauran Victory | WPTZ | Oct 12, 2012 | www.wptz.com

Hundreds of protestors demonstrated against wind energy projects Friday, hoping to get the attention of Gov. Peter Shumlin’s administration.

A passionate crowd from all parts of Vermont descended on the statehouse with a common cause on Friday.

“We are a group of Vermonters that have seen the impacts of utility scale wind in our communities,” Luke Snelling shouted into a megaphone. Snelling is the executive director of Energize Vermont, the group that spearheaded the rally.

Kathleen Iselin travled from East Haven. She said she sees Sheffield’s wind turbineswhen she wakes up every morning and is worried about their health effects.

“Had I had known that they were coming, would I have ever moved here? No,” she told News Channel 5.

With a number of projects potentially in the works, some of the protestors wanted to drop off what they call a “Certificate of Public Harm” to the governor.

“It’s a really strong document that says that we don’t support his advocating for utility scale wind to be built in our state,” said Snelling.

Gov. Shumlin brushed off the criticism standing by his belief in new energy.

“We can’t move fast enough to build renewable energy, get off our addiction to oil and ensure that our kids have a livable planet and I think wind needs to be a part of our renewable portfolio mix,” Shumlin told News Channel 5.

Protestors said they’ll keep the protesting up until the governor considers a moratorium on wind projects.

“This business is recklessly rushing forward with this. It’s insane,” said Iselin.

The protestors said their frustrations are also aimed at the Public Service Board and wind developers.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/10/13/hundreds-rally-against-big-wind-projects/