Momentum keeps growing for the Cumberland Mtn. Preservation Committee
By JAY McCARTHY & GEORGE CHIARAMONTE, For The Vista | May 12th, 2016 | vistanewspaper.com
By JAY McCARTHY & GEORGE CHIARAMONTE, For The Vista | May 12th, 2016 | vistanewspaper.com
Last Thursday night’s meeting of the “Cumberland Mountain Preservation Committee” was again a packed house. Over 220 people attended and about 55% were new and came to hear the latest information about the negative effects of Wind Turbines.
George Chiaramonte, the Chairperson of the Committee, convened the meeting by giving a report on the week’s two big events: a meeting with Cumberland Mayor Kenneth Carey at George’s house, and a meeting with the Fairfield Glade Board for two hours with Co-Chairperson, Jay McCarthy.
Mayor Carey was generous about sharing information and easing tension by letting everyone know about how Cumberland County’s involvement came about, as previously reported.
One of our main goals is to see the County Commissioners pass an ordinance requiring any project that is generating power for commercial use -— whether it is Coal, Nuclear, Solar, Gas, Wind or other forms of power generation – that they be required to go through a county review process that specifically addresses issues to protect Cumberland County citizens, wildlife and property values.
This process would include public input for a 120-day period. The ordinance should require the company to have a payment & performance bond to cover all new construction and being required to remove the turbines once they expire or cease operation. Also, obtain an insurance policy that would cover medical cost that might be incurred by residents that live in the area of the Industrial Wind Farm and acquire insurance that would reimburse home/property owners from any loss of value due to the location of the Wind Farm.
The ordinance would also require Apex Energy to get insurance to cover health issues, animal and bird kills, and any disruption caused by the Wind Farm -— but have a mitigation plan that is approved by the county to address any hazardous materials that might result in day to day operation.
Citizens should not be required to be taxed to clean up Apex’s mess. Currently it should be known that Apex does not have any insurance that we have been told that covers any of the areas of concerns we have listed. If they do we invite them to submit them to us.
Our second meeting with the Fairfield Glade Board gave us the opportunity to fill them in on the dangers of this Wind Turbine Farm and ask them to make a stand. We were told they appreciated our efforts and their major concern was property values, which according to Misty Keyes, the Wyndham representative to the Board, has already been apparent. There seemed to be one or maybe two board members who were a little opposed to our work but most seemed on board.
We told the board that their last email to its citizens was not well-received by those in attendance at the meeting. We told the Board that the general view of the Board is “PC Correctness” and perceived as taking “middle of the road positions.” We discussed that the current climate in this country is an awakening of the silent majority who want results. The Board said that they have received some very rude calls and emails. We advised the Board that at every meeting we address the crowd to be respectful in passing along their opinions.
Information sent to me by the Board, covering home value changes near wind Turbines, was published by a joint effort of Government and Berkley researchers. You would have to have a PHD to understand it. Living in DC for 40 years I can assure you that this is typical. Jay and I rely on real time reports from actual people affected and the Internet is full of these reports.
You just have to ask one question to verify the truth. “Would the Wind Turbine Company cover any expense of home owner losses?” We have been told that they won’t.
Jay and I understand the Board’s position; we both have served on many such boards in our community lives. The Board simply have to support the efforts to stop the turbine farm in this area and should use their influence to help stop it.
Our Coalition invites everyone to be part of our weekly discussion and help get out the word and a “big thanks” everyone that havs been part of our effort that has done hard work behind the scenes.
We urge everyone in Fairfield Glade to continue the writing/email campaign.
Continue with mailings to Political figures including Governor Bill Haslam, Lamar Alexander, Rep. Black , Rep. Baileyetc.
Contact and provide information packages to local Real Estate Companies.
Let the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners that you also urge them to pass ordinance that will address the issues with Apex we have listed
Contact and meet with TVA Directors and the CEO from whom Apex must get approval to use their electric grid. They must realize this is life-changing for a large portion of their customers – not only in Fairfield Glade – but also through out Cumberland County.
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2016/05/13/momentum-keeps-growing-for-the-cumberland-mtn-preservation-committee/