June 19, 2018
Indiana, Letters

POWER Coalition versus wind projects

The Rochester Sentinel | 19 June 2018 | rochestersentinel.in.newsmemory.com

A diverse group of organizations has joined forces to oppose the Renewable Energy Systems (RES-Americas) Harvest Wind and White Post wind turbine projects, which are proposed for the Northern Indiana counties of Cass, Miami, Pulaski and Jasper.

The mission of the POWER Coalition (Protecting Our land, Water, Environment, and Rights) is to highlight the broad opposition to the current proposal by RES to site up to 558, approximately 660+ foot tall (3.6-4.2MW) industrial wind turbines in Miami, Cass, Fulton, Jasper and Pulaski Counties (according to aeronautical studies filed by RES with the FAA).

Each member organization opposes this project based on one or more of the following concerns: The uncompensated taking of land as easements constitutes the taking of non-participants’ property and rights. Setbacks for industrial wind turbines should always be measured to property lines, never to the foundation of a home.

The “unsafe zone” around industrial wind turbines will trespass onto non-participant neighbors’ properties and place homes in this unsafe zone. Setbacks to homes are 1,000 feet. The unsafe zone around a wind turbine is, at minimum, 1,640 feet for a 408 foot wind turbine at hub height.

Increased noise levels for residents and the high possibility of chronic sleep loss, headaches, tinnitus, vertigo and other negative health impacts for children, families, and the elderly. Many residents will experience shadow flicker in their homes and on their property. Children and adults with autism and sensory processing disorders are especially vulnerable.

Studies show wind projects negatively impact neighboring non-participants’ property values.

The project area in Cass, Miami, Pulaski, and Fulton is the Indiana Air National Guard 122nd Fighter Wing’s primary military operations area (since 1950). Obstructions should not be permitted in this area as the loss of this practice area will drive them from their primary practice air space which can result in the loss of jobs in northern Indiana if the base is compromised. The installation of industrial wind turbines may also interfere with operations at the Grissom Air Reserve Base, potentially jeopardizing the future of the base in the next round of base closures.

The safety of private pilots and agricultural aviators will be compromised.

Obstructions can make rescue helicopter teams’ work reaching accident victims more dangerous.

The project will have a negative impact on large populations of birds and bats including our growing American bald eagle population, endangered whooping crane, sandhill crane, barn owl, endangered Indiana bat and threatened northern long-eared bat.

Wind turbine fires can ignite grass and field fires with the potential to spread to homes. Firefighters cannot reach a fire 50-60 stories in the air. Will visually degrade the land and even after decommissioning, large amounts of concrete and rebar will be left in the soil.

The project will fragment habitats and disrupt hunting and fishing opportunities as sound, flicker and infrasound reportedly drive away wildlife.

Studies are being conducted in Chatham-Kent, Ontario in RES project areas where vibrations caused by wind tower construction near homes likely damaged wells and dangerous sediments were found in water sources. Access to clean, safe, drinkable water for families cannot be compromised.

It is the position of all POWER Coalition members that renewable energy is important, but no energy project should ever be free of assessing and balancing ALL its impacts on other vital aspects of our environment, economy and quality of life.

The POWER Coalition acknowledges the importance of standards for the proper siting of these projects based on eliminating or significantly mitigating the negative aspects any project might present. The POWER Coalition believes that the RES-Americas Harvest Wind and White Post projects fail to meet these standards and should be rejected by Commissioners and officials ruling on the project.

POWER Coalition members include: Northeast Indiana Base Community Council in support of Indiana Air National Guard 122nd Fighter Wing Indiana Agricultural Aviation Association (IAAA) Marine Riders North Central Indiana Jim Wiegand, wildlife biologist Merrill Morey, M.D.

Dr. Steve Jennings Dr. Kathleen Oldfather, DVM John Droz, Jr., physicist and founder of AWED (Alliance for Wise Energy Decisions) Save the Eagles International Hoosier Whitetail Hunting Success and Management Indiana Flying Farmers International Flying Farmers Hallmark Gutwein Airport, Culp Airport, Plummer Airport Miami, Cass, Pulaski, Jasper and Fulton County Property Rights citizens groups Indiana Wind Watch Interstate Informed Citizens Coalition ( IICC) Coalition for Rural Property Rights Gregg Hubner, real estate appraiser and author of Paradise Destroyed: The Destruction of Rural Living by the Wind Energy Scam There are POWER members concerned about harm to the local and regional economy, reduced property values, visual and noise impacts that can dissuade home buyers and affect human health, detriments to wildlife, and the loss of quiet nights, dark skies and the scenic nature of this region that are important to the health and well-being of both animals and humans in addition to compromising our nation’s military readiness. Industrial wind projects need to be carefully sited. This project is not. We are calling on RES-Americas to withdraw their proposals.

The POWER Coalition will continue to advocate for the withdrawal of these projects through direct advocacy with government officials, by hosting forums, and disseminating information which will show the tremendous negative impact this industrial wind project will have on Cass, Miami, Pulaski and Jasper counties and the surrounding region. Thank you, The POWER Coalition


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2018/06/19/power-coalition-versus-wind-projects/