Concerned residents continue opposition of wind turbines
The Leader | August 17, 2017 | www.clintoncountyleader.com
The Leader | August 17, 2017 | www.clintoncountyleader.com
Concerned Citizens of DeKalb and Clinton Counties are continuing to support their respective Planning and Zoning Boards “to protect the health, safety, and general welfare” of their citizens. Many citizens have educated themselves on wind energy projects across this country.
Some have asked: “Why not give up? Wind turbines are already up and operating?” However, the “battle” is not over. Efforts are still being made to limit the erection of wind turbines in this area.
Many are unaware that three lawsuits are pending to be heard in court. 1. Clinton County has been sued for approving an ordinance to prohibit “commercial” wind turbines, and restrict the height of personal wind turbines to no more than 120 feet. 2. A resident of Colfax Township, DeKalb County has filed a lawsuit against the Colfax Township Board when Special Use Permits were issued without duly applying Township ordinances. 3. The Washington Township Board has been sued for refusing to accept the application for special use permits to erect 21 wind turbines in this township.
Wind turbines erected in Colfax, Camden, and Sherman Townships led to the loss of TV reception to many citizens in DeKalb County. When one reads the contract provided one finds that the energy company is aware that wind turbines can cause “electrical and radio frequency interference.”
During the summer of 2016, numerous “expert witnesses” addressed the Clinton County Planning and Zoning Board on various topics related to wind energy projects. After each expert witness spoke, they were cross-examined by the respective lawyers and members of the Planning and Zoning Board. Many Concerned Citizens were in attendance at these public hearings. Written and/or video recordings of these presentations are available to be reviewed.
New board members were elected to both the Colfax and Washington Townships in DeKalb County last April. These new boards have been busy having the township records audited, and now being reviewed for need of updating the ordinances to protect the citizens of their respective jurisdictions. During this process, these boards have been threatened with lawsuits by attorneys who represent the wind energy companies.
Citizens of DeKalb and Clinton counties need to become more informed of the source of funding behind these wind energy companies and the potential threats on the health, safety, economic, environmental, and general welfare of the citizens in this area.
Cloyce Coffman
Resident Landowner in DeKalb County
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2017/08/17/concerned-residents-continue-opposition-of-wind-turbines/