July 19, 2018
Letters, Ohio

Comments about a wind energy project

The Advertiser-Tribune | Jul 19, 2018 | www.advertiser-tribune.com

Two years ago, I received an invitation from Apex Clean Energy to an Emerson West open house. The evening was to include a short presentation as well as an opportunity to meet members of the Apex project development team and to ask questions. On the front of that invitation was a nice rural scene: green field, red barn, clear sky – not a wind turbine in sight!

There were two speakers at this presentation. Speaker No. 1 stated the life of a turbine was 20 years (I had asked about their life span). Speaker No. 2 stated checks could be coming in the mail for 40 years. To me, that just did not add up. When I asked for an explanation, there was a rather long, uncomfortable pause. Finally, the first speaker said after 20 years, parts could be replaced.

More recently, I found it interesting when Apex announced their required public meeting, that announcement was quite small and appeared in an obscure part of The A-T. Since then, there have been several full page ads by Apex, one talking about money for schools.

My last comment is in response to the letter “Your land, your rules” by Tyler M. Duvelius, executive director, Ohio Conservative Energy Forum. OK, “Your land, your rules”? Just how does that work? Your way, but still suggest to your neighbor what you do not want them to plant? In my case, farmers, who also happen to be relatives, complained about a willow tree I had planted no where near their land. Willow trees are fast-growing, provide cooling shade and places for birds to nest. Too bad they don’t grow tall enough to block the sight of 600-foot-tall wind turbines.

Sorry if I offended anyone, but these things just go against my sense of fair play. And, maybe part of why so many people are feeling angry about what is taking place in our community.

Carol Burkholder, Republic

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2018/07/19/comments-about-a-wind-energy-project/