December 3, 2015
Letters, Vermont

Swanton rejects industrial wind project

Opinion: Swanton rejects industrial wind | Letter to the editor | Burlington Free Press | December 2, 2015 | www.burlingtonfreepress.com

Nov. 17 the town of Swanton had a vote in regards to the proposed Swanton wind project. The community came together with a strong victory of 731 to160 votes in being opposed to the Swanton industrial wind turbines, and 744 to 142 for more local control for the towns. To have 891 people vote in a non-election year and during deer hunting season was a great turnout. It proved to the residents on Rocky Ridge, the neighborhood that surrounds them and the community as a whole that we do care and we are concerned.

Swanton voters were a voice to be heard, but to the developer it didn’t make a difference. Travis and Ashley Belisle have chosen to proceed with the proposal of seven monstrous 499-foot turbines that will hover over their neighbors’ homes no matter what the community vote was. This is disheartening.

I ask Swanton residents to start questioning the true motive of why the developer is still proceeding with the Swanton wind proposal. Not only does the majority of the community oppose this project but Green Mountain Power, Vermont Electric Co-op and the Swanton Selectboard have also written to the Public Service Board to ask for a dismissal. Gov. Shumlin indicated it wouldn’t be good for the ratepayers in Franklin County. The Federal Aviation Administration has indicated that the turbines would interfere with their radar. Then why would a developer still want to do this? I think we can all come up with our own conclusion on their quest.

The vote was just the beginning for our voices to be heard.

Thanks again Swanton voters for sending a strong message to Montpelier that this project is not right for our community and we want our voices to be heard.

MICHELLE DESLANDES

Swanton

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/12/03/swanton-rejects-industrial-wind-project/