Too many are misinformed
The Falmouth Enterprise | January 25, 2019 | www.capenews.net
At this point in time I should just keep my mouth shut and be happy about the selectmen’s vote to put an end to the Town of Falmouth’s misadvised venture into wind power. It is Richard K. Latimer’s letter in today’s Enterprise that elicits a response from me.
It amazes me that so many Falmouth residents have learned so little about the detrimental effects of a too-close, too-large wind turbine on a human being. Also that size matters. It’s very likely that the originally proposed 600kW single turbine for the WWTP would have worked out just fine. It was the shoehorning in of a 1.65MW machine (Wind I) plus adding a second 1.65MW (Wind II) for a total of 3.3MWatt vs. 600kW or a 5.5 increase in generation capacity that killed Falmouth’s chance to have a successful wind project. Failing due diligence (greed often gives a cloudy lens) to study recommended setback distances, which I expect was the reason to forgo the required permits, this advocated by the state MTA, now the CEC.
I totally agree with Marc Finneran that this town should refuse to pay off the $3.5 million grant/loan, whatever the state calls it. Town Manager Mr. Suso’s description of the State Water Management Trust’s position regarding this $3.5 million sounds absurd. It was the state MTA/CEC that enticed Falmouth into this wind turbine ordeal. I think the town should sue for damages. I believe Heather Harper as assistant and then acting town manager had all best intentions for our town. The financial numbers appeared terrific. The used turbines being pushed by the CEC, hurry up and take them before someone else does, caused the lack of in-depth study by our town. This was yet another dropping of the ball by Falmouth Town Meeting, which droppings have been fairly frequent on major issues.
Barry A. Funfar, Ridgeview Drive, Falmouth
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2019/01/26/too-many-are-misinformed/