Industrial wind blows over the vulnerable 

Why is it that the setbacks from property lines and homes from industrial wind turbines continue to only increase in the surrounding states and Europe? The answer is safety.

Why would the Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) have a workshop on blade throw data from turbines? The answer is safety. Why would the OPSB require the wind developer to complete sound studies? The answer is safety. According to data collected in sound studies, many homes will experience sound levels that the World Health Organization considers hazardous. According to the blade throw calculations for 5 MW turbines, hundreds of homes and businesses will be within range (4,921 ft.) of a blade throw. You can find blade throw calculations here: https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/analysis-of-throw-distances-of-detached-objects-from-horizontal-axis-wind-turbines/

If that isn’t bad enough, years before anyone knew how big these turbines would be, land agents came through our community and collected “Good Neighbor Agreements” otherwise known as Wind Support Leases. Wind Leases will typically spell out the “effects” such as: audio, shadow flicker, vibration, air turbulence, wake, electromagnetic, ice or other weather created hazards. These leases transfer with the sale of the property and restrict those in the lease from complaining publicly about the wind project, regardless of who happens to live on the participating property. The Flat Rock Care Center is in the Republic Wind project area. Multiple industrial turbines will be sited around them with the closest being approximately 1,300 feet.

According to their website Flat Rock serves individuals who have intellectual and developmental disabilities, with coexisting behavioral and/or psychiatric needs. Their diagnoses are multifaceted including Autism, Down’s Syndrome, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Bi-Polar Disorder, etc. Landlords and absentee property owners stand to make a “fast buck” in the Flat Rock area, while children and individuals with special needs will endure living near 600 ft. turbines that are loud, cause vibrations, cast shadow flicker and produce infrasound. Most of you have experienced infrasound. Horror movies often use it for effect. It’s the sound waves you can’t hear but impact humans and travel long distances.

Again, why are setbacks from turbines increasing across the continent and Europe, safety! Recently in Iowa the Madison County Board of Health passed a resolution recommending a 1.5-mile setback from industrial turbines to protect residents from wind turbine nuisances and harm. You can find the rationale for that decision here: https://www.masterresource.org/wind-turbine-noise-issues/health-effects-of-wind-turbines-testimony-of-ben-johnson-versus-mid-american-energy-project-in-madison-country-iowa/

The Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) can require turbines be sited further back for safety. The question is, will Big Wind money win out over safety? The OPSB public hearings for the Republic Wind LLC are approaching from 3 to 8 p.m. Sept. 12 at the Marion Center, Tiffin University. Please make your voices heard for those that cannot.

Deb Hay

Thompson Township

Seneca County