In response to the letter from Jack Darin of the Sierra Club (My View: Wind energy a boon for Boone County), ...
Posted Dec. 24, 2013 @ 12:00 pm
In response to the letter from Jack Darin of the Sierra Club (My View: Wind energy a boon for Boone County), I just have to say that he is obviously not facing the prospect of living within an industrial wind turbine development. He touts the economic and environmental benefits of wind energy that is deployed 100 miles away, but I live here! The regulations being considered will modernize Boone County ordinances to protect residents from financial and physical harm.I don't recall the Sierra Club presenting any evidence against the regulatory changes during two years of public hearings. Regulation changes like having setback distances from resident properties that take into account the ever growing heights of modern turbine towers are reasonable. These are not "barricades to block new business", they are protective regulations as Sierra Club should well understand.Our outdated regulations subject residents to hazards from modern wind turbines that reach heights over 500 feet. Hazards include ice throws during winter, falling parts when a turbine catches fire and blade throws. Sorry, but tax revenue and jobs don't protect me from these hazards. No, I don't think Darin needs to be concerned about these things living a hundred miles away in a Chicago suburb, but I live here.— Gary Fanson, Capron
Posted Dec. 24, 2013 @ 11:00 am
In response to Jack Darin's Wind Energy Article (My View: Wind energy a boon for Boone County): I think most people agree that alternative energy is important, but development must be done responsibly.
Unfortunately, it seems some are willing to disregard responsibility to ensure that this project moves forward, regardless of the proven safety risks and negative impacts of improper setbacks.
Is the proposed text amendment unreasonable in its purpose (to offer protection), or is this about a lack of siting potentials? Please look at Vermilion County, IL (California Ridge Project), where turbine failures have recently occurred and testimony from impacted residents comes out weekly. Even the local Superintendent acknowledges the impacts on his students! (California Ridge is roughly half as populated as the project area in Boone County).
Embracing responsibility ensures a safer future for our families, property value and tax base protection, a community where residents want to investment in their homes, which in turn employs locals (carpenters, architects, engineers, etc…) and a benchmark for other communities.
Responsibility cannot be argued, but it can be ignored. This isn't about "blocking" wind, it's about implementing setbacks that prevent the proven negative impacts associated with large-scale industrial wind in our community. Please help promote responsibility!
— Peter Ferretti, Harvard
From: http://www.rrstar.com/article/20131224/OPINION/131229832/0/SEARCH
