Its subsidies that are so attractive to GMP they will ruin an entire region of Vermont.
They are in a hurry before people realize the devastation that comes with this.
VPR News 7/8/10 read more...

Lessons For Sheffield
Vermonters For a Clean Environment
7/3/10 read more...

Fully Compensate Them
National Wind-watch.org 6/15/10 read more...

Making Good Neighbors
But here is Tom Shea's side of the story:
This is the comment I tried to post. For some reason, it won't let me enter it, despite typing it in from scratch three times. ...probably just a coincidence.

"From the start, we wanted to have local community support and benefits"

Is that why you missed our family in Searsburg, when notifying abutters of the project, as was your LEGAL obligation. BOTH times. The nearest abutters to the existing turbines and the proposed expansion, just 'inadvertently' overlooked. Only the fourth owner of the property since the original land grants. ...but just didn't know who we were. Oh, and an opposing party to the original application. One of only six parties in the application. Guess you couldn't figure out we were in town.

Good neighbors, eh? Couldn't find us in a town of less than a hundred residents. ...and we've been there since the early 60's. Four members of my family, including myself, have held elective office in town. ...and you couldn't find us.

If this is being a good neighbor, what is a 'bad neighbor'?
Rutland Herald 6/9/10 read more...

...state regulators are reluctant to spend more for wind power.
Denverpost.com 6/1 read more...

An ill First Wind hits the Public in the pocketbook
5/26/10 read more if you are a VT legislator read twice, Three times for Tony Klein and Committee

According to the Weather Channel: Wind: from NNW at 1 MPH. This would not be adequate to create electricity anywhere in VT. 5/30/10

I don’t know that they had the full picture
Business News 5/27/10 read more...

The Smart Money Knows Windpower is proving itself a poor investment
First Wind warns of possible loan default NWW 5/14/10 read more...

Big Wind = BIG RATE INCREASE

Wall St Journal 4/5/10 read more...

Under Siege
Newport Daily Express 5/12/10 read more...

A Sound Policy for wind power in Vermont ?
http://www.wind-watch.org 4/25/10 read more...

Maybe someday soon if you are driving in the area of the map below your radio will sound like this unless you stop Lowell Wind.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqoknuhlfEw&feature

 

In what way is GMP and Vec concerned about the 25% ?
Caledonian Record 4/19/10 read more...

Should UPC aka First Wind and Green Mtn Power be held accountable for ruining VT homes & Towns?
FDLreporter.com 4/18/10 read more...

Proposed turbine projects put damper on residential property sales in Cape Vincent
Watertown Daily Times 4/7/10 read more...

It doesn't make sense
Bloomberg.com 4/13/10 read more...

Restrict all taxpayer money awarded through a wind-energy grant program
Wall St. Journal 3/4/10 read more ...

GMP's real product - Renewable Energy Credits or New Englands RGGI Credits
it adds no capacity Newport Daily News 3/3/10 read more...

In New Zealand, more than 750 complaints have been lodged against a large wind project
Wall St Journal 3/2/10 read more...

GMP creates Lowell Mountains sacrificial properties, pays money to anyone that will help them and bribes the town with tax benefits isn’t in the interest of the town.
newport vermont daily express 2/25/10 read more...

Lowell voters are being mislead and receiving partial info
the part left out is more important than what they are telling you
Newport express 2/24/10 read more...

A Lowell Citizen who for years has had a positive vision of how he wanted his town to be.
This vision has never included industrialized sprawl on Lowell Mountain
Caledonian Record 2/24/10- who unfortunately chopped down his excellant letter read more...

A “No” vote in Lowell will allow due deliberation
newport vermont daily express 2/24/10 read more...

A yes vote will surrender all your rights
newport vermont daily express 2/23/10 read more...

Lowell wind project boils down to money
newport vermont daily express 2/23/10 read more...

Why Lowell voters should vote NO on GMP.
The Chronicle 2/24/10 read more...

when you mess with our mountains, we take that personally
Have some character buy Gold it is good enough for Soros and won't get Yale bad PR - leave VT alone
Yale Daily News 2/18/10 read more... (ps: no charge for the tip on gold)

Support for climate change bill melts away as major companies quit lobbying group - hasta la vista GMP
Wall Street Journal 2/17/10 read more...

The stakes are high will residents buckle under constant harassment from GMP or will they resist will Lowell remain home of the free and the brave or become badgered defeated corporate slaves
Burlington Free Press 2/14/10 read more...

Like the most recent article in the Free Press the latest report on property values by the Department of Energy was predicated on flawed methods
Industrial Wind Action Group 2/15/10 read more...

Keep Lowell Like it Is

"Wind turbines don't make good neighbors"
Caledonian Record 1/29/10 read more...

How about a step forward in reporting the real story and issues?
Burlington Freepress 1/25/10 read more...

Note: this event was postponed due to weather. The morning of the full moon one local temp was -13 the wind speed was 2 MPH. This proved an established fact when we need electricity the most wind power can't provide any electricity.

Lowell Mountain Group informational Meeting
Where: The Lowell Elementary School Gymnasium
When: In said town on THURSDAY FEB 18, 2010, at 7 P.M - 9 P.M. (New Date)
This is a moderated meeting to help you understand more about Commercial scale Wind Power.

A kernel of truth here a heap of misinformation there throughout this letter to editor
Caledonian Record 2/6/10 read more...

Group Hopes to Energize Vermont
Fox news 1/26/10 read more...

"This bill would force the Legislature to kind of think about the dark side of wind energy; large-scale wind energy that hasn't been talked about here,"
WCAX News read more...

 

about protecting our community as a whole.
Rutland Herald 1/21/10 read more...

It suddenly becomes a game I’m not willing to play, sacrifice or pay for.
Rutland county Express 1/20/10 read more...

Some prominent Vt news papers appear to be reluctant to print some letters and Op-Eds
although they are truthful eye witness accounts and well researched by credible people
of course it may be they have not gotten to it yet.
Hopefully in a paper soon 1/17/10 read it here...
and now in the Caledonian Record 1/20/10 read more...

An insiders perspective of the Lempster site by a Vermonter read it here...

Better yet read it here - like Montpelier Water Torture
Caledonian Record 1/20/10 read more...

Climate change (global warming) is the Big Lie, 1930s Nazi Socialist-style.
Burlington FreePress 1/15/10 read more...

If you think wind turbines are ripping your community apart just imagine what they do to Birds and Bats and Mountain sides
Caledonian Record 1/15/10 read more...

Lowell Mountain Group informational Meeting
Where: The Lowell Elementary School Gymnasium
When: In said town on THURSDAY JAN 28, 2010, at 7 P.M - 9 P.M.
This is a moderated meeting to help you understand more about Commercial scale Wind Power.

Lowell, Vermont
Lowell Special town Meeting Vote results
188 Votes cast 1 vote against
187 Votes in Favor of an Australian ballot. The question was: Article I: Shall the legal voters of the town of Lowell vote by Australian ballot on all
public questions relating to any Wind Turbine construction project that are proposed to be sited within the Town of Lowell.

What no GPS? They should all come down from our perspective. In Lowell, Sheffield, Seneca Mountain, Brighton & Ferdinand, Eden, Georgia Mountain and don't even think of going to East Mountain again.
Ira, Clarendon,West Rutland, Poultney

WIND Tower Must Come Down
Clarendon, VT Vermont Utility regulators have ordered the Vermont Community Wind Factory to remove a meteorological test tower from a Clarendon peak and pay a $6,000 fine.

The Public Service Board issued the order Wednesday after determining the wind factory erected the test tower 381 feet away from where it was permitted to go, creating a "material deviation" from the original permit.

The PSB's order says the change has the potential for significant impacts to state rules involving aesthetics and the environment.

Wind developer Jeff Wennberg says they're dissapointed, but will comply with the order.
Community Wind is working on a potential project that would include 45 turbines in Ira, Clarendon, West Rutland and Poultney.

When the smooth talkers from VEC and GMP tell you how quiet it will be you need to listen to this:
Voices of Vinalhaven, Maine by W.Windaction.org listen up...

Gone with the Wind
Caledonian Record 1/7/10 read more...

Guess What Dan It won't stay in VT
Caledonian Record 1/7/10 read more...

Another resident brainwashed and bought off?
Caledonian Record 1/7/10 read more...

Barbara Ashbee-Lormand traveled from central Ontario to central Vermont in late October to a discussion of an industrial wind turbine development proposed for the town of Ira, organized by Vermonters for a Clean Environment. From Barton Chronicle 12/22/09 and W.windaction.org read more...

 

Lowell, Vermont
Warning:
Lowell Special town Meeting
The legal voters of the town of Lowell are hereby
warned and notified to meet in the Lowell Elementary School Gymnasium
in said town on TUESDAY JAN 12, 2010, at 7 P.M. to transact the following business:

Article I: Shall the legal voters of the town of Lowell vote by Australian ballot on all
public questions relating to any Wind Turbine construction project that are proposed to be sited within the Town of Lowell.

Article 2: To adjourn

This project is about portfolio standards and big money,
nothing else. The Chronicle 12/22/09 read more...

Perhaps inspired by Joni Mitchell -
Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you’ve got
‘Til it’s gone
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot
The Chronicle 12/22/09 read more...

Silencing skeptics?
W.sphere.com 12/15/09 read more...

U.N. climate chief cashes in on carbon
WorldNetDaily 12/14/09 read more...

deliberate, politically inspired stupidity.
The Chronicle 11/4/09 read more...

...adding industrial sprawl, just as they are doing in Searsburg
Caledonian Record 12/11/09 read more...

1 for the money 1 for the special interest group
Caledonian Record 12/10/09 read more...

You reached us Mr. Whiteman, if you didn't reach our representatives State and Federal maybe they don't deserve to be in Vermont sir.
Rutland Herald 12/8/09 read more...

In October 2000, the Department of Energy estimated that about 3 percent of the CO2 in the atmosphere was caused by man.
Newsbusters 12/9/09 read more...

we are sleepwalking into some of the most disruptive and costly energy policy misadventures...
National post 12/4/09 read more...

If it were really about carbon wouldn't they use computers rather than fly to Copenhagen
(Denmark makes 47% of its electricity by coal)
Michelle Malkin.com 12/3/09 read about Al Gore ...

...scientists implicated in Climategate have gained funding and career advancement by twisting data, hiding evidence, and shutting out dissenters by corrupting the peer-review process.
Telegraph.co.UK 12/2/09 read more...

Some may wonder why Paul Brouha and the Ridgeprotectors are at the Environmental Court in St. Johnsbury this week. This song which Paul takes to heart should be an inspiration to all of us, as it is to Mr. Brouha. Wind developers are attempting to ruin our birthright for their selfish economic gain. We challenge all our representatives at the state and federal levels to have the conviction to take our state song in all seriousness. If you do not take the song seriously, then you are subject to errors in your thinking. You are not in office to ruin Vermont. You are not in office to allow others to ruin peoples homes. The evidence is clear Commercial scale windpower has no place in the state of Vermont.

"These Green Mountains"

Composed by Diane Martin | Arranged by Rita Buglass Gluck

These green hills and silver waters
Are my home - they belong to me
And to all her sons and daughters
May they be strong and forever free
Let us live to protect her beauty
And look with pride on the golden dome
They say home is where the heart is
These green mountains are my home
These green mountains are my home

Courtesy of the Vermont Arts Council
Words and Music Copyright 2000 by Diane Martin
- all rights reserved

In Denmark fossil fuels still dominate electricity production
The Globe and Mail 12/1/09 read more...

Der Spiegal says, the Earth does not have a fever
Investors Business Daily 11/20/09 read more...

Climategate
The Boston Globe 12/1/09 read more...

Not committing renewable energy suicide
All you Vermont political leaders as well as our federal leaders need to read this
The Providence Journal 11/28/09 read more...

Why we should not have foreign wind developers like Gaz Metro in Lowell
The New York Times 11/11/09 read more...

Wendy knows what went wrong (a radio message)
Wendy Todd of Mars Hill Maine
7 PM Thursday at the Lowell graded school on rt 100 north of rt 58 Green mtn power.
Same place again following Monday 7 PM Public meeting PSB to discuss the Met towers.

Kevin concerning proposed Lowell wind project (a radio message)
Vermonts Northland Journal w.northlandjournal.com

Toward a Better Understanding of Industrial Wind Technology
Allegheny Treasures 10/26/09 read more...

Environmentally friendly?
Watertown Daily Times 10/14/09 read more...

How about a project in Colchester Dorothy?
Caledonian Record 10/10/09 read more...

Mr. Kearns the only merits are for your company's profits you are ruining the NEK
VPR.net 10/9/09 read more ...

cooling worldwide temperatures
BB.co.UK 10/9/09 Would you chaps care to read more...

These are three unelected Public Service Board officials who don't answer to the people
Rutland Herald 10/3/09 something's rotten in Rutland read more...

Ranchers home ruined by wind power (will the Nelson's of Lowell meet the same fate?)
http://www.windturbinesyndrome.com/ 9/29/09 read more...

...a combination of smoke, mirrors, and prohibitively high utility rates are the key to our economic and environmental salvation.
New American.com 9/15/09 read more...

Enron's ghost, carried on the wind
blogs.chron.com/ 6/3/08 read more...

a devastating image of practical uselessness
Herald Sun 8/4/09 read more...

But here in VT political leaders, Public Service Board, and utilities are selling out our state to wind developers
Burlington Free Press 8/10/09 read more...

Log on here: http://www.windaction.org/news/22574

In Maine a resulting drop in their property values along with emotional and physical distress.
Maine Public Broadcasting Network 8/7.2009 First Wind sued read more...

Is Black Smoke Clean energy?
w.wind-watch.org 8/10/09 read more...

Where the over sized load meets the road Are ya listening Barton, VT? How about you towns near Lowell? Do you read us IRA?
New York Times 7/23/09 read more...

he hears some turbines a mile away in his living room.
Watertown Daily Times 7/17/09 read more...

Pickens real problem is that wind power is a bust.
w.247wallst.com 7/8/09 read more...

an economically unproductive project.
Dallas News 6/24/09 read more...

Upstate is being turned into a third world country.
The Daily News 6/12/09 read more...

Note the editorial has no facts because commercial scale wind can't stand up to the facts
Burlington Free Press 4/26/09 read more...

Photo submitted by Mike Styrcula taken with a wildlife camera near Bean Pond Rd & Rt 5 Sutton, VT. This location is about 1 .25 miles from where a First Wind turbine will be next year. Mike thinks the turbines will cause wildlife like this moose to leave. Consider calling the Agency of Natural Resources, the DPS, The PSB, the Governor. We would rather have moose in their natural environment than Energy Entrepeneurs and venture capitalists ruining our area with a poor performing technology that will give YOU the highest electric bill you have ever had.

Responding to the April 26th editorial
Burlington Free Press 5/3/09 read more...

special interest advocates wrote the legislation
National Wind Watch 5/2/09 read more...

Thoughtless race to industrial wind
Burlington Free Press 5/17/09 read more...

Long-term benefits like preserving the character of Vermont and energy conservation are more important than short-term solutions that create more problems than they solve.
Burlington Free Press 5/15/09 read more...

“It’s my belief every blade has to come off,” he said. “It requires another round of construction and heavy traffic.”
Evening Tribune 5/19/09 read more ESPECIALLY YOU BARTONIANS...

“What about us?”
Burlington Free Press 5/26/09 read more...

I can't stand it here for another day.
http://www.windturbinesyndrome.com/?p=2241

"I think there's things that they don't tell us,"
Rutland Herald 4/8/09 read more...

Wow 2.5 full time jobs
Bennington Banner 4/18/09 read more...

a cruel delusion
financial post 4/8/09 read more...

The $3 million plus PILOT payments have not reduced my land taxes or anyone else's that I have seen.
Water town Daily Times 3/26/09 read more...

A legislature in search of a Tea Party
Caledonian Record 4/28/09 read more...

Wind power can only cost more and not work effectively
Caledonian Record 4/10/09 read more...

The shadow flicker, noise, visual and light pollution have destroyed our quality of life that we treasured.Watertown Daily Times 3/26/09 read more...

"I didn't think this was the right project for the area."
Caledonian Record 3/26/09 read more...

More on the company that wants to have a wind factory in Coos County -Noble liens hit 43 more properties
read more...

Wind turbine failures explained scroll down to How Safe is Wind Energy? posted 8/20/07
Noble Wind Park shut down W.wptz.com /news/ 3/6/09 read more...

Vermont Electric Coop
Burlington Free Press 2/27/09 read more...

A Rude Awakening
Chatham Daily News 2/12/09 see you tube and read more...

Our current legislator's in VT deviously declared Hydro Que to not be renewable a few years back
National Post 2/16/09 read more...

Hardly a recipe for economic success
The Wenatchee World Online 2/4/09 read more...

"Whole lotta shakin' goin' on"...
Sandusky register 2/10/09 read more...

companies that have moved green manufacturing operations offshore
http://www.reuters.com/ 2/3/09 read more...

"We're not happy," the Ridge Protectors said in an e-mail Friday afternoon. "Ridge Protectors primary concern is that this is going to forever change the wild natural character of the Northeast Kingdom and the reason we are hanging in there so long is that this is just one of six projects that are proposed for the Northeast Kingdom and it's going to dramatically change what this place is all about."
Caledonian Record 2/7/09 read more...

To read Supreme Court decision

Dark Days for Green Energy
The New York Times 2/3/09 read more... http://caledonianrecord.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=43879&TM=55451.96

storm water construction permit is still pending
Caledonian Record 2/3/09 read more...

Ridge Protectors motion for relief with the VT Public Service Board
Caledonian Record 8/12/08 read more...

For Black Bears life's a Beech
Burlington Free Press 9/21/08 read more...

Baseload power can not be replaced with non dispatchable intermittent power.
Burlington Free Press My Turn: Need to know more on alternative energy 9/19/08 read more...

Old Farmers Almanac predicts most of the country will be colder than normal in the coming winter
USA Today 9/10/08 read more...

"There may never be a project and Vermont Wind should have to disclose that..."
Caledonian Record 9/3/08 read more...

A Sutton resident asks a state wildlife official, "Do we really need to verify this in VT?"
http://uk.reuters.com 9/3/08 read more...

This should be required reading for Gaye Symington
New York Times 8/27/08 read more...

Does Board of selectmen Chairman Robert Croteau have a conflict of interest?
Caledonian Record 8/23/08 read more...

the earth's climate...
Caledonian Record 8/21/08 read more...

Is Vt going to be the victimized next? “It really is renewable energy gone wrong,” said the Franklin County district attorney...
The New York Times 8/18/08 read more...

Maybe Vt politicians who are pro wind should admit they have been duped? Wind developers have misled the public, media, and government officials. The letter from the Horizon Wind official is a perfect example.
Glenn Schleede on article in Batavia News 8/17/08 read more...

A $2000 fine for a multinational corporation is an insult to adjacent instate long time land owners who are stewards of the land...
Caledonian Record 8/16/08 read more...

...for many locals, who assumed they would get free electricity once the turbines were installed. In fact, the energy is sold to utility companies and then piped into the grid.
news.yahoo.com read more...

Let's make it clear that democracy is alive and well in Barton
The Chronicle 8/13/08 read more...

"It would mean we could be mandated to bring on renewable resources much faster than we need them, have the transmission capacity for them, or can afford to pay for them,"
Caledonian Record 8/14/08 read more...

Has Mr. Lacy invested in one of the Symington-supported wind developers aching to build on Vermont's ridge lines?
Caledonian Record 8/14/08 read more...

To see what the outcome of Gaye Symington's energy plan won't do for us just mentally plug in VT vs Kansas in this article.
w.saljournal.com 8/11/08 read more...

Vermont Democratic Party press release, Aug.6, 2008
kirbymtn.blogspot.com read more...

Big Wind New York
The Barton Chronicle 8/6/08 read more...

The Selectmen at the Barton Municipal Building, August 21, 2008, will hold a public hearing on the town plan revision at 7:00 P.M. Let the selectmen know your feelings.
Caledonian Record 8/1/08 read more...

But a Face The State investigation reveals the district's turbine has never produced marketable energy due to massive equipment malfunctions.
tomnelson.blogspot.com 7/27/08 read more...

Green Energy Scam?
Humanevents.com 7/28/08 read more...

Subpoenas were served on First Wind (UPC changed name to protect the guilty)
Caledonian Record 7/71/08 read more...

Wind energy only blew by the grace of a $23.37 per megawatt hour subsidy from taxpayers
Caledonian Record 6/5/08 read more...

Vermont Edition 5/21/08
VPR asked How do we balance the cost of power with environmental impact?
read more...

give pause to policy makers
Washington D.C. Examiner 5/22/08 read more ...

"pleased with the judge's decision,"
Press Republican 5/7/08 read more...

Eminent Domain in Prattsburgh?
WETM 4/22/o8 read more...

price of wind power from new projects doubled
Telegram 3/12/08 read more (pay more)...

selling your soul to the devil
Caledonian Record 3/13/08 read more...

gives industrial wind power a tax break at the expense of the education fund
Caledonian Record 3/8/08 read more...

mining of Vermont’s undeveloped and fragile ridge-lines
Deerfield Valley News 3/6/08 read more...

SUSTAINABLE?

have the existing towers taken down
Caledonian Record 2/19/08 read more...

Stop activities that might adversely affect the bats
Burlington Free Press 02/20/08 read more...

What a surprise
Caledonian Record 2/14/08 read more...

Trade off not worth it
Caledonian Record 2/14/08 read more...

Hello Max we don't generate electricity from fossil fuels
Caledonian Record 2/11/08 read more...

Wind power generation isn't necessarily green
Burlington Free Press 02/05/08 read more...

PSB should have denied the certificate of public good outright
The Barton Chronicle 1/30/08 read more...

PSB's serious legal deficiency in its decision
Caledonian Record 1/30/08 read more...

Croteau, said he's not sure
Caledonian Record 1/26/08 read more...

Judge rules against wind permits
The Daily Star 12/18/07 read more...

Sheffield part of the NEK
Burlington Free Press 12/18/07 read more...

Nothing beautiful about wind turbines
Burlington Free Press 12/12/07 read more...

A Few More Points
Caledonian Record 11/25/07 read more...

Wind Power Hot Air
Bangor Daily News 11/21/07 read more...

Right on Jeanette, Marv, & Marc
Deerfield Valley News 11/21/07 read more...

Wind power in Vermont is pure politics.
Caledonian Record 11/23/07 read more...

not in keeping with the general benefit and well-being of the town of Barton.
The Chronicle 11/21/07 read more...

federally propped up profiteers
Burlington Free Press 11/11/07 read more...

“feebates” (penalty taxes)
Caledonian Record 11/6/07 read more...

I want my money back
Burlington Free Press 11/05/07 read more...

will harm tourism and state's rural character
Times Argus 10/30/07 read more...

Ridgeprotectors Press release
10/29/07 read more...

We hear you way up north Mr. Johnson - you are not alone
Deerfield Valley News 10/18/07 read more...

"people of Southern Vermont should vigorously resist"
Bennington Banner 10/15/2007 read more...

A tale of two petitions
Caledonian Record 10/16/07 read more...

 Ridgeline Protectors will take their opposition to the Supreme Court.
Barton Chronicle 10/10/07 read more...

spend enormous sums of money doing very little
The Washington Post 10/7/07 read more...

real product is tax avoidance and green tags
Brattleboro reformer 10/12/07 read more...

Yumpin' Yiminy
Berkshire Eagle 10/10/07 read more...

“Smoke was rolling out of it,”...
Globe Gazette 10/3/07 read more...

Emission Free clean energy

Wind power is "fraught with perils"...
Times Argus 10/2/07 read more...

People who are serious about using less energy could...
Newsweek 9/24/07 read more...

federal government is not buying the PSB's approval...
Caledonian Record 9/21/07 read more...

Its Not Nice to Mess with the Iron Workers read more...

UPC Wind must file for a federal permit
Caledonian Record 9/15/07 read more...

You may not proceed with any proposed work
Burlington Free Press 9/14/07 read more...

A Certificate of Public Junk (same model UPC Sheffield wants to use)? read more...

Gracefull, Slow moving? Or ineffective taxpayer ripoff?

Tragic death on a wind turbine
Northwest news 8/28/07 Read more...

"badly sited and underperforming"
Daily Mail UK 8/30/07 Read more...

How safe is wind energy?
Der Spiegel 8/20/07 Read more...

August 26, 2007, 8:07 pm
Blowin’ in the Wind

When the issue of energy came up in the debate among the Democratic presidential contenders on Aug. 7, the candidates began talking about “renewable” energy and one of them (Chris Dodd) mentioned wind power. Seems logical. Why spend all the effort and money to build huge electricity plants when the wind is always blowing? Who could argue against a technology that promises to derive energy from a renewable, and free, resource?

Everyone I know.

For five months of the year, I live in the very small town of Andes, N.Y. Each year has its signature event — floods, drought, road construction, caterpillars. And 2006 to 2007 has been the year of the wind turbines.

Like many of the other towns targeted by the wind turbine industry, Andes is a rural community that over the years has lost its economic base. At one time the hills and valleys were home to many small dairy farms, but most of them are no longer in operation, and no industry, light or heavy, has taken their place. Now the area relies for its revenue on retirees and second home owners who are educated, relatively well off and tend to be teachers therapists, lawyers, artists and social workers. In short, liberals. They are all soldiers in Al Gore’s army, into organic foods, hybrid cars, clean air, clean water, the whole bit.

They are also against wind power.

Their reasons are the ones always given by those who wake up to find the wind interests at their door. Even if large wind farms were in place throughout the country, the electricity produced would be a very small percentage of the electricity we use. Because the turbines are huge, 400 feet or more, installing them involves tearing up the ridges on which they are placed. Once in operation, they cast shadows and produce noise. Their blades cause a “flicker” effect, kill birds and interfere with migration. The outsized towers ruin scenic views and depress real-estate values.

These last two reasons are seized on by wind proponents who say that a few elite newcomers are putting their aesthetic preferences ahead of both the community’s welfare and the national effort to shift to green energy as a way of slowing down global warming.

It’s a nice line, but it won’t fly. The wind companies may advertise themselves as environmentalists, but they are really developers, which means that they do things with other peoples’ money — yours. Wind farms are attractive as an investment because the combination of tax credits, tax shelters and accelerated depreciation rates means that investors reap large profits in a few years. Meanwhile, those in the community pay twice for their electricity; once when their taxes go to subsidize the wind interests and a second time when the monthly bill arrives. And that bill will likely be larger than it would have been had the turbines never been erected.

Then there are the issues of “de-commissioning.” What happens when the turbines are no longer profitable and are shut down or fall into disrepair and become postmodern ruins larger than Stonehenge? Who fixes them? Who takes them down? Who repairs the ridges?

Don’t ask the original developers. Before the special tax and depreciation breaks have run their course, they will be long gone, either because they have sold the project to another developer or because they have just decamped and moved on to the next town.

So what do you do? Some towns have done nothing; they think it can’t happen here. Other towns take the developer’s money but extract promises that the turbines will be set back so many yards or miles. (Good luck if the promises aren’t kept; developers never return your calls.)

Others across the country have done what we did in Andes — organize. We formed an alliance, incorporated, raised money, sent out flyers, took polls, sponsored forums, wrote a zoning ordinance, presented it to the town council and planning board, and finally saw it pass. It was democracy in action.

But it’s not over. The Spitzer administration has been working on a plan to shift the authority for land use control from local communities to a state commission. Local zoning ordinances would be countermanded and communities like Andes could get wind farms even if they didn’t want them.

Perhaps the governor and his colleagues should be reminded of the company that made wind power into a big, profitable business in this country. It was called Enron.

source: http://fish.blogs.nytimes.com

A Citizen's Testimony: A short course in understanding the issues
01/24/06 · 8:20 am      posted by Magical Eye
A citizen, Lisa Linowes, from New Hampshire testifies for the House Science and Technology Committee on NH Bill 1568

Here are excerpts from that testimony.
Less than 2 years ago, I was like most people. I supported renewable energy of any form, and gave little consideration to the downsides.  Since then, an industrial wind company proposed a 30-MW, 20 tower facility to be erected atop Gardner Mountain in Lyman , NH. My family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues were all treated to a crash course in wind technology.