April 14, 2013
Indiana, Letters

Responsible setting of turbines needed

Kokomo Tribune | April 14, 2013 | kokomotribune.comKokomo Tribune | April 14, 2013 | kokomotribune.com

Elected officials should do the required research before deciding if and where industrial wind turbines will be located. It seems they are listening only to the sales pitches of the wind turbine industry. Please realize that facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored.

Wisconsin officials have looked at the research on how people are harmed by living too close to turbines. They examined the December 2012 report of the scientific study done at the Shirley Wind Farm (owned by Duke Energy) in Brown County, Wis. The findings of this report were so significant that Wisconsin denied the application for the Highland Wind Farm on Feb. 14.

Wisconsin’s Brown County Human Services Committee has approved a measure to ask the state to pay emergency aid to families living near the Shirley Wind Farm. The committee says the state allowed “irresponsible placement” of industrial wind turbines.

Wisconsin state Sen. Frank Lasee has heard the complaints about health and financial harm of his constituents in the Shirley Wind Farm and has responded. He is working on legislation that would make it easier for people who have been harmed by industrial wind turbines to sue for damages.

The bill would allow anyone harmed by industrial wind turbines to sue the owner of the turbine and the owner of the land where the turbine is located. They could seek damages for loss of property value, cost of moving, medical expenses, pain and suffering, attorney’s fees and any other loss as a result of an industrial wind turbine too close to their home or property.

You must realize the Shirley Wind Farm has just eight wind turbines. Phase 1 of the Wildcat Wind Farm already has constructed 125 wind turbines; phase 2 will have 40-60; phase 3, 40-75; phase 4 is unknown. The Prairie Breeze Wind Farm proposal includes 93 wind turbines.

Counties in Indiana need to consider the welfare of all their residents before allowing turbines to be built. I want to encourage all Indiana county officials to be responsible in their decision-making concerning turbines. I am glad the elected officials in Tipton County have responded to the concerns of citizens and are re-examining the county’s wind ordinance.

Indiana may have wind, but it is also populated with people. Responsible setting of turbines is necessary, and they may not be a good fit for sections of Indiana. I don’t believe anyone in Indiana wants to duplicate the problems Wisconsin is experiencing.

Pat Slusher

Kempton


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/04/14/responsible-setting-of-turbines-needed/