June 3, 2017
Letters, South Dakota

Beware of Big Wind

LETTER: Beware of Big Wind | The Daily Republic | Jun 3, 2017 | www.mitchellrepublic.com

Look what is happening when county commissioners and zoning boards choose to

do their job of protecting and speaking for the people who live there and won’t play the fool for “Big Wind.”

In April, the Lincoln County Commissioners voted to establish half-mile setbacks from homes. This came after a group of Lincoln County citizens did their research and voiced their opinions for one-mile setbacks. But even a half-mile did not satisfy Dakota Power Community Wind project. Yes, they really do have the word “community” in their name. Brian Minish of DPCW said: ”that distance would doom the project”. He then stated they would take it to a vote. Do you know what that means? Big Wind, who has limitless funds to propagandize, wants to override the will of the people in their own community using a referendum. It matters not that the people being forced to live under them are using their own money and time to fight against the invasion. Nothing however is more important to Big Wind than building a gigantic 500-plus wind turbine factory where they so choose that will produce billions of dollars in tax credits.

They are not alone. Since last October wind giant NextEra Energy has filed lawsuits against five rural governments from Oklahoma to Michigan, all of which have imposed limits on wind-turbine development, using your tax dollars of course. NextEra made $21.5 billion in corporate profits from 2008-2015 but hasn’t paid federal income taxes the last seven years because of the production tax credit.

It is time the people of South Dakota see clearly what and who we are fighting. The county commissioners and zoning boards must stand firm and protect the people they represent. We must clearly see that these multinational/foreign corporations simply want to use us and our natural resources for their bottom line. However, knowledge is a powerful thing, and

people are finally getting informed. But beware, Big Wind is relentless and has deep pockets.

Marsha Hubner

Avon


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2017/06/03/beware-of-big-wind/