September 11, 2015
Nebraska

Local landowners rally against wind farms

Posted by: Marlenia Thornton | KLKN | September 10, 2015 | www.klkntv.com

Dozens of land owners rallied at the County-City building Thursday.

They’re called “Stop Hallam wind.”

With signs in hand, organizers wanted to make their voices were heard about the proposed wind farm by Volkswind in Southern Lancaster and Northern Gage counties.

They say the demonstration wasn’t about protesting the project, but educating the public

“They probably don’t know about all the heath effects that can be from wind energy. We are not opposed to wind energy per se, but people need to be informed,” Stop Hallam Wind Member Jonetta Schwaniger said.

The group says they fear these turbines are being built too close to homes and the noise they produce can affect people’s lives.

After their rally, the group sat in on the county commissioners meeting.

They listened to officials talk about possible changes to wind energy regulations including how close a structure could be built to a home and another that would increase the acceptable noise level from a turbine.

This woman attended and feels the farms would do some good.

“Wind turbines are going to curb climate change and help the income of our farmers,” Wind Farms Supporter Anne DeVries said.

There were presentations by the Lincoln–Lancaster County health and planning departments.

The briefing also allowed the commissioners to ask questions about the proposal.

Officials say all the feedback is important.

As the debate winds down, they say it’s essential for a reasonable solution.

“It’s really trying to find the balance between having wind energy, but also addressing the impacts of what is increasingly becoming 400, 500 foot tall wind turbines,” Lincoln-Lancaster County Planning Department’s Development Review Manger Stephen Henrichsen said.

The next meeting is Oct. 20, which will have a public hearing.

The county board could also make its final decision at that time.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/09/11/local-landowners-rally-against-wind-farms/