August 5, 2016
Letters, Vermont

Industrial wind tower

Caledonian Record | August 4, 2016 | www.caledonianrecord.com

Brian Champney, a farmer from Holland, is partnering with David Blittersdorf to build an industrial wind tower in Holland. Brian and Kim Champney, who say they are hoping for a “respectful discussion” of their proposed wind project, did not attend either of two public forums they were invited to by the Holland select board.

The industrial wind project proposed by Brian Champney and his developer friends is being presented as a low impact project. An industrial wind turbine, 400 to 500 feet tall, surrounded by residents living within a half mile of it and located a mile from an elementary school, should not be considered a low impact project.

The fact that the state has never really addressed the impacts around industrial wind turbines does not mean that they do not exist. The fact that Mr. Champney does not believe that industrial wind turbines present a health hazard could be disputed by at least three families forced to abandon their property due to health issues caused by wind turbine noise.

Had the Champneys been able to attend the last select board meeting, they would have heard Steve Therrien’s testimonial about wind turbine noise. Living 3/4 of a mile from the Sheffield Wind project turned the Therriens’ life into a living hell. Steve and his family sought relief from town, state and federal officials. Their pleas for help went unanswered. In desperation, they were forced to abandon their property. With the state’s reluctance to acknowledge impacts from wind projects, no one knows what the long term health effects of wind turbine noise are.

Richard Rumery

Newport Center, Vt.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2016/08/05/industrial-wind-tower/