Learn about wind
Watertown Public Opinion | January 23, 2018 | www.thepublicopinion.com
Soon northeast Codington County will be dotted with wind towers. If we don’t speak up now, we will be steamrolled into unreasonable setbacks for your property.
Right now the setbacks are out-dated, and a wind tower can be placed 1,000 feet from your house, exposing your family to flicker/shadow, disturbing your sleep patterns, loss of property value (some studies suggest 30-60 percent) as well as inaudible noise. The night sky will no longer be filled with stars, only the constant flicker of red blinking lights.
Wind energy is not a cheap alternative to fossil fuels. In fact, have you ever considered how much fossil fuel goes into a wind turbine, that only works when the wind blows, and without your tax dollars is not feasible? Think of your safety for a moment. Without a three-quarter mile setback from your property line, they can place a tower 1,000 feet from your house. Ice throws from a blade rotating at 200 mph are a real possibility (especially when the turbine manufacture recommends their employees “do not linger” within 1,625 ft).
As well as any new construction on your property could be denied permits as it will interfere with the towers “safe zone,” meaning you no longer have rights/control of your own land-that you pay taxes on. The Statue of Liberty is 305 feet tall, Turbines are 550.
Big wind is big business, and your representatives are also cashing in. As of last year: Mike Rounds received $24,800 from Berkshire Hathaway and $18,750 from NextEra Energy; John Thune received $32,000 from NextEra Energy; and Kristi Noem received $10,000 from NextEra Energy. (In case you were wondering what a representative is going for these days.)
Write to your county commissioners now. Setbacks will be set on February 12.
Daniel Kaaz
South Shore
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2018/01/24/learn-about-wind/