September 15, 2013
Letters, Massachusetts

Don’t jeopardize Peru’s lofty status

Berkshire Eagle | 09/15/2013 | www.berkshireeagle.com

As a former resident of the town of Peru, I line up with those who are opposed to allowing wind turbines to be built at this time. It’s clear that it is not just a few NIMBY grumblers acting as spoilers or others perhaps envious of those who may profit from the “big wind” enterprise.

Peru is among the most unspoiled towns in the Berkshires. Perched above all but a few other contenders, it has the distinction of being the highest township in the state. The water and air quality are unrivaled. But so are the intangible rewards of living in the woods the location affords.

And as my late friend and mentor, BCC professor Edwin Clark Jr. used to say, “The way to live in the woods is to learn how to live with the woods.” Somehow the outsized technology of wind turbines seems to fly in the face of that advice.

Currently Lee is looking into solar energy and its desirability and suitability. Towns with wind turbines continue to report complaints from residents. The complaints are worrisome enough to warrant a moratorium on construction so that more study can take place. Should it become clear that the side effects of having turbines are a paper tiger, the proposal could always move forward. Once in place it’s highly unlikely that, next to Mount Greylock, Peru will ever get back to its status as the closest place to heaven.

RONALD K. BAKER

Dalton


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/09/15/dont-jeopardize-perus-lofty-status/