May 11, 2016
Indiana

Henry County windfarm draws opposition

By Nick Janzen | May 9, 2016 | wboi.org

Plans by the Texas-based Calpine Corporation to build 80-100 turbines for a 200 megawatt wind farm is drawing opposition from some local residents. The proposed Big Blue River Wind Farm would include the townships of Greensboro, Jefferson, Harrison, and Prairie.

But some Henry County residents oppose it. Susie Eichhorn’s family owns a farm in the area. The Calpine Corporation approached the family to lease part of their property for the wind farm. But wind turbines can be noisy and sunlight can reflect off the blades, creating a strobe effect. “It would be hard to sit on your front porch and talk with friends. It would just impact your daily life,” Eichhorn says.

So, she started the group “No Wind Farms.” Eichhorn says wind farms need more regulations – like the minimum distance from a neighboring property. Windfarm regulations in Indiana vary from county to county, but in this instance the “setback” would be 550 feet.

Calpine Corporation is still seeking lease agreements from area landowners. From there, the Henry County Planning Commission would have to approve the project. Two separate wind farms have already been approved in southern Henry County.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2016/05/11/henry-county-windfarm-draws-opposition/