RutlandHerald.com - We Are Vermont

Wind farm lacks logic



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Published: August 6, 2009

It has only been a few months since we first learned of the proposed industrial wind project being considered for the town of Ira and surrounding towns. At first, I really had no opinion about the project since I was totally unfamiliar about wind power. That is, until now.

Based on hours of researching and reading the information that is available, I strongly oppose this project for a number of reasons. But lately, I have been feeling even more so opposed because of the intrusion into our daily lives of what was once a peaceful and quiet routine. When something is so outrageously wrong, lacks any sense of logic, and affects hundreds of individuals for the benefit of a few, it is difficult to remain quiet.

So here we have Mr. Per White-Hansen and his Vermont Community Wind Farm LLC. He rode into town for his first appearance at the Tinmouth Community Center and made it sound as if he was an expert in the field, with all the credentials and projects under his belt to make him the man who was up to the task. I specifically recall his mentioning the development of Beekmantown, N.Y., a project he said he had since sold to other parties. Well, if anyone has looked into this project, there are no wind turbines in Beekmantown, N.Y. The project never got off the ground, and Mr. Per White-Hansen ran when the running was good.

Then there is the Scotland Findhorn Wind Park. Yes, an accomplishment of sorts, except it is minuscule compared to what the town of Ira is currently facing. The Findhorn Wind Park turbines total all of four, and they are one-quarter the size of the Ira proposal. The total capacity of this wind park is 750 kilowatts, not megawatts.

I also found it quite interesting when I was shown a printout from the Web site of the American Wind energy Association. Here was a "10 Steps to Developing a Wind Farm" right there for the reading. I could not help but compare this to a Wind Development for Dummies' how-to manual. If you look at these steps, you will see that Mr. Per White-Hansen is following each to the letter, and it is no more complex than following a recipe for baking a cake.

At the end of the day, I cannot help but think "how dare this man impose his greed on our community." Yes, I've learned an awful lot about wind development over the past few months and expect to continue to do so. But for now there are two things that are crystal clear to me. 1) Developing a wind farm is not rocket science. And 2) Mr. Per White-Hansen is not here to save the planet.

BARBARA COSGROVE

Ira








READER COMMENTS


It seems that the effort to establish green systems is left to developers who have to take the initiative to build on private lands. This despite the federal governments push for green energy. They don't mind leasing federal forest lands to ski areas to be stripped of trees; they lease out federal lands for oil and gas exploration; and they sign leases for ATV and snowmobile trails. But will they sign on for wind energy projects in the National Forest (which we all own)(and there are some out of sight areas for potential wind projects). No one really wants to destroy the peace and quietude of rural Vermont towns such as Ira.
If the project fails it should not fall back on the local property owner as a loss and associated problems to the community. Bail out the banks, bail out the CEO's, bail out the stock market; but never open up federal lands for what you so adamantly support. That's probably why CVPS is investing in solar arrays. But then again someone may complain about the glare!
-- Posted by Ed Larson on Thu, Aug 6, 2009, 3:36 pm EST

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Barbara makes a lot of sense. Is this particular businessman someone you'd buy a used car from, let alone allow to use explosive on mountaintops? Capitalism is best when the business person is ethical and honest. People in the Ira area have been listening to Per for a couple months, and they, along with Rep. Potter, are hearing a lot of spinning. Did Per tell the truth about why they "scaled back the project?" No, he said he listened to the public concerns when what really happened is he got caught telling the Public Service Board he had entered into agreements with landowners for access, when the truth was the landowners refused to sign leases. Even so, some of those landowners found their properties were trespassed on and monitoring equipment was put up without their permission. Beware. Businessmen who disregard private property should not be welcomed into anybody's neighborhood.
-- Posted by None None on Thu, Aug 6, 2009, 2:36 pm EST

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My beef with Dave Potter and others is that in 2009 he voted against business 100% of the time according to the Vermont Chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business. He voted to raise about every tax and fee he could get his sights on. He voted for a renewable energy bill that will require utilities to pay 30 cents per KwH instead of the 4 cents we currently pay for power. You say small scale I say a start. It still raises our electric rates during a recession. As if the higher taxes were not enough. I read the entire Bill. These politicians are bankrupting our State. Maybe, I'm a little honery because my oldest son is leaving this State due to the cost of living here. Maybe I'm sick of politicians voting for their party and special interests and not voting in the best interest of the people. The way to get out of this mess is through a better business climate not by increasing the costs of doing business here and forcing business to shut down or move if they can. I love this State and I hate what these people (both parties) are doing to it.
-- Posted by Jim Eckhardt on Thu, Aug 6, 2009, 2:30 pm EST

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Jim- What is your beef with Dave Potter? I am sick of your attacks on him. Do you live in his district? Yes he voted for the renewable energy bill, as I feel he should have, we need to investigate and be open to alternative forms of energy. But for the millionth time, as several people have pointed out, NOT AT THIS SCALE! Have you bothered to actually read the legislation? Perhaps you can't understand what you are reading? Also, where is Joe Baker (R)? He is also a Legislator representing Ira and we've heard not one word from him! By the way, Joe Baker voted AGAINST the bill, yet he is for the wind towers? How can this be? I should hope folks in Ira remember this at election time!
-- Posted by CC None on Thu, Aug 6, 2009, 1:10 pm EST

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Yet, another case of "not in my backyard" mentality. Jim is right, this is a businessman trying to make a go of what seems to be the new initiative in the country, Go green. Personally I don't have a problem with the towers, maybe the business proposer came off as sly, trying to slip something in, but I do believe this is a legitimate project, atleast legit enough to see if it's viable. By the way, I'm sure Barb is among the contingent that thinks VT Yankee should be closed as well. Whatever!! The "not in my back yard" mentality along with the "don't disrupt the stereotypical views of VT" is what is driving this state even more desolate. Wake up people, Have you ever wondered why this state only has a population of decent sized metropolitan area???
-- Posted by Russell Goodrich on Thu, Aug 6, 2009, 12:38 pm EST

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Barbara, Your letter lacks logic. Your Legislative Representative voted for renewable energy. He told the world that you wanted windmills. So along comes a business man looking to capitalize on that vote. Its not the businessmans fault that your Representative did not check with you first. Everyone told these Representatives that windmills would not work in Vermont. However they did not listen to those people. They did not ask their voters. They followed their party and special interest money instead.
This country was founded on Capitalism. Capitalism made this country the great country that it is. So this business man wants to do what the Legislature is calling Green business in Vermont. Its what the Legislature wants and from what I can see the people don't want if its in their backyard.
-- Posted by Jim Eckhardt on Thu, Aug 6, 2009, 10:01 am EST

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Barbara, Mr Potter voted for Renewable Energy so these people feel very comfortable coming here. Maybe he should have checked with you folks to see if you wanted windmills in your backyard before he told the world that you did.

Don't blame the business man for coming here and trying to make a dollar. What is wrong with you people. The United States was built and has prospered under capitalism. Stop treating business people like they are the devils. Start picking Legislators that speak on your best interest instead of the interest of their party or special money paying friends.
-- Posted by Jim Eckhardt on Thu, Aug 6, 2009, 9:49 am EST

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