Survival of our communities are at risk
Pioneer Tribune | 2014-09-04 | www.pioneertribune.com
In order for a community to survive its needs must be met. With harsh weather conditions in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan what draws people to the area?
People are drawn to the area because of its uniqueness as seen in its beauty, its strong community unity, its quietness, its abundant wildlife, and its lack of pollution.
By the presence of wind turbines in our area, the survival of our communities are at risk. We have been tremendously saddened by what we have seen and heard from the Garden residents in Delta County who have been robbed of so much because of the turbines.
They, however, if given the proper respect and consideration, can help the rest of the Upper Peninsula to deal with the threats that have come and will continue to come to the whole area. Heritage Sustainable Energy, the wind turbine company in our area, desires to have a 12,000-acre wind farm in northern Michigan.
Many attempts have been made by Schoolcraft County leaders and citizens within the county to protect what we have. Schoolcraft County has sought legal counsel for an ordinance that would protect the welfare of its residents.
To comply with the demands for renewable energy by our state government, the ordinance could not be too restrictive in regard to the placement of the wind turbines. Our county leaders have had great responsibility placed on them.
Concerned citizens have tried to keep informed and to encourage community action as can be seen by numerous signs placed along our major highways in the Cooks area which is in Schoolcraft County. We are concerned for the survival of all in the U.P., not just a select group.
How can any area in the Upper Peninsula survive without residents and/or the tourist trade? It is unique and special and the survival of it is not dependent on a too costly, impractical wind energy source which gives no direct benefit to the vast majority of its residents.
Ron and Carolyn Palmer
Cooks
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/09/04/survival-of-our-communities-are-at-risk/