We need stricter controls on wind energy
Huron Daily Tribune | February 21, 2015 | www.michigansthumb.com
Huron Daily Tribune | February 21, 2015 | www.michigansthumb.com
With all the media hype going around, we need to focus on the issues of most importance to all of the citizens of Huron County. We can’t let the almighty dollar rule and forever ruin our pristine landscape and peaceful country life only to pad the pockets of a few individuals and turn longtime friends and neighbors into the Hatfields and the McCoys!
What would Huron County do if no wind turbines ever came? We would survive as we have for decades before. Yes the additional revenue would be helpful, but understand with the new revenue we’re losing property values, quality of life and our county’s once pristine countryside. We are even losing local residents who are choosing to get out now before their property values decrease too much and they will, they have. Who wants to buy a house that has been surrounded by industrial wind turbines? Realtors are already experiencing the rejection of properties near turbines.
Our once beautiful shoreline is soon becoming dotted with turbines too. That same shoreline property is going to lose value as well. Those turbines are visible even when several miles out in the lake.
Now I know reversing what’s been started is impossible, but protecting what we have left is not. Let’s implement stricter control now.
• Provide 1,640 feet from “property lines” not from your house. You should be able to use all your land as you please and not be affected by a wind turbine next door.
• Noise levels below 35 decibels actual and not averaged.
• Also implement low level frequency control limits with penalties for non-compliance.
• Make flicker control the energy company’s responsibility with penalties for delay or non-compliance.
• Penalize a wind company for any non-compliance and prevent them from operating additional wind farms in Huron County if they show a history of non-compliance or threats to townships, the county or our local residents.
Its important to remember that this ”temporary” income provided by wind turbines is just that, temporary. Once it’s gone, we taxpayers will be left to support the projects done with wind turbine income. We do not want to be taxed to death to maintain what we couldn’t have afforded in the beginning.
Also, keep in mind, and mark my word, the turbine companies will be asking for concessions and shorter depreciation tables in the near future.
Now I realize this is a big list of concerns and that they cannot be hashed out in a small amount of time, so yes this justifies a moratorium.
Dale and Kelly Ricker
Filion
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/02/22/we-need-stricter-controls-on-wind-energy/