‘New deal’ with E.ON bad for Howard Co.
Kokomo Tribune | April 15, 2014 | www.kokomotribune.com
In a recent “public eye” article written by KT columnist Scott Smith about the proposed industrial wind turbine project; mention was made of the “new deal” brokered by Howard County Commissioners with E.ON.
This “new deal” may reel in another $500,000 for the county but doesn’t even come close to addressing any of the concerns of the citizens of eastern Howard County.
For several months commissioners listened but did not truly hear “we the people.” We never asked for an extra couple hundred feet setback. We asked for the World Health Organization’s safe setback guideline of 4,921 feet from a family’s home to be followed.
This would have ensured protection for all ages and all health issues represented by all the families living in the proposed “wind farm zone.”
We asked for 4,921 feet, but instead were “brokered” just 1,500 feet. We also asked that this setback be from the property line so our children could play outside safely. We got “from the occupied dwelling.”
Our other big concern was nighttime allowable noise limits. Again, we asked our elected officials to adhere to the ISO and WHO “safe noise limits for children” guidelines. These guidelines are 25 to 30 decibels at night just outside a child’s bedroom window.
The governing bodies reduced the random decibels from 55 decibels to 50 decibels. We can’t even find a recommendation anywhere from anyone saying this is either healthy or safe for our families.
They did, however, get themselves an extra $500,000. You gotta give them that.
And hey, they did additionally ask for light shields to be put in place for those red blinking lights. But E.ON had also previously promised those to Madison County. I guess they just forgot to put them up.
Gosh, I sure hope they remember to put them up in Howard.
Grace Aprill, Greentown
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/04/15/new-deal-with-e-on-bad-for-howard-co/