June 22, 2016
Letters, Pennsylvania

Wind turbines are a problem

Times News | June 21, 2016 | www.tnonline.com

As a community we are faced with a potential crisis. The Bethlehem Water Authority has leased the watershed to Iberdola/Atlantic Wind for a wind farm development. The project will consist of 37 industrial wind turbines that are 525 feet high, these will be some of the tallest wind turbines in the country.

If this project proceeds it will affect Penn Forest Township/Franklin Township and parts of Towamensing Township. It will have a negative impact on Beltzville Lake Estates, Tall Oaks, Sawmill Estates, Bear Creek Lakes, Penn Forest Stream, Hickory Run, and Towamensing Trails developments. Many hundreds of homes will literally be in their shadows. Several of the turbines will run parallel to 903 directly behind the new park and soccer fields. They will have a very dramatic impact on our lives.

This project will destroy 300 acres of prime forest home to numerous species of birds, bats, reptiles and plants some of which are endangered or threatened. The ecological damage to bird and animal habitat is undeniable. The human cost can be just as severe.

Residents in proximity of Iberdola’s Hardscrabble Wind Project have brought suit against the company in New York State Supreme Court.

They complain that low frequency vibrations, noise, shadow and light flicker have made their homes unlivable. Once they go up its too late.

I urge everyone to educate themselves about the negative impacts of living near industrial turbines. The only thing “green” about the turbines is our tax dollars that support an Industry that would not exist without federal tax subsidies. If this project goes through, looking at them will be the least of our problems.

Bob Alward

Lehighton


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2016/06/22/wind-turbines-are-a-problem-2/