December 24, 2013
Illinois, Letters

The hazardous effects of wind turbine development

Rockford Register Star | December 24, 2013 | www.rrstar.com

In response to the letter from Jack Darin of the Sierra Club (My View: Wind energy a boon for Boone County), I just have to say that he is obviously not facing the prospect of living within an industrial wind turbine development. He touts the economic and environmental benefits of wind energy that is deployed 100 miles away, but I live here! The regulations being considered will modernize Boone County ordinances to protect residents from financial and physical harm.

I don’t recall the Sierra Club presenting any evidence against the regulatory changes during two years of public hearings. Regulation changes like having setback distances from resident properties that take into account the ever growing heights of modern turbine towers are reasonable. These are not “barricades to block new business”, they are protective regulations as Sierra Club should well understand.

Our outdated regulations subject residents to hazards from modern wind turbines that reach heights over 500 feet. Hazards include ice throws during winter, falling parts when a turbine catches fire and blade throws. Sorry, but tax revenue and jobs don’t protect me from these hazards. No, I don’t think Darin needs to be concerned about these things living a hundred miles away in a Chicago suburb, but I live here.

 – Gary Fanson, Capron

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/12/24/the-hazardous-effects-of-wind-turbine-development/