Breaking Wind
The Odd Culture of Wind Farm Protests
Wind farms are popping up all over the world with the
lure of cleaner electric generation and a lessened
dependency on fossil fuels. Renewable energy, including
solar, hydroelectric, geothermal, and biomass, is all
the rage in the race to combat climate change. So, why
is wind so often contested amongst the general
population?
Ontario citizens are fighting back, Tie Domi style.
There has been a recent spike in reports concerning
communities and their disdain for wind projects being
implemented in their towns. Residents in Goderich,
Ontario are protesting a 140-turbine project currently
being built in southern Ontario by K2
Wind, a partnership of three energy entities in
Canada. They are standing up to what they say was a
project in which they had no involvement, and they are
now complaining about possible adverse effects such as
noise pollution, lower property values, and subjective
eyesores. Shawn and Tricia Drennan are plaintiffs hoping
to halt the project’s construction in a court case that
commenced on Monday, September 22. Two additional
families, one of which is concerned about its
eight-year-old daughter’s hearing hypersensitivity, are
also fighting back against a wind farm. The Dixon and
Ryan families are protesting a 15-turbine project near
Seaforth, Ontario. The collective
grievance partially states,
In effect, our government has relegated the appellants
to guinea pigs in the name of green energy. The fear and
anxiety with being a guinea pig is only further
heightened by the knowledge that the Ontario Ministry of
the Environment has placed a moratorium on off-shore
wind turbines because the environmental impact on the
fish is not known.
Though the residents note that Health Canada is
currently conducting a study to learn more about any ill
effects that wind projects may have on a locale, the
builders of the wind farms stand by their safety and
insist they cause no harm. K2 Wind and St. Columban
Energy argue that an injunction against construction of
the projects would harm the companies financially. They
maintain that they have the required permits and that
the wind farms are environmentally-friendly and create
economic advantages.
I love New York, but New York doesn’t love wind.
In nearby New York, two communities are also putting up
their best fight to stop the continuation of wind
projects. In Orangeville, residents recently filed a $40
million lawsuit against energy company Invenergy.
The case states that the firm is violating the town’s
50-decibel noise ordinance and is causing sickness,
soreness, and disability. Invenergy installed a total of
58 turbines, each nearly 430 feet tall, at the Stony
Creek Wind Farm.
As is the case in Ontario, concerned residents are
complaining of lowered property values and health issues
due to noise and vibration. They claim the issues are
caused by turbines in close proximity to their houses.
Invenergy is staunchly fighting back against these
claims with a statement that partially asserts,
While support for renewable energy is strong across our
country, we take seriously any concerns of those who
live in a project host community. That is why we took
great care in developing the Orangeville wind farm in
accordance with all local, state, and federal laws and
regulations. The lengthy authorization process was open
and inclusive, allowing extensive opportunity for
citizen input. Numerous studies – conducted in countries
all over the world – have found no evidence to support a
link between sound emitted from wind turbines and
adverse health effects. The Orangeville wind farm will
vigorously defend itself against the unfounded claims
set forth in these complaints.
Additionally in New York, Chemung County residents are
at odds with a proposed NextEra Energy wind
farm that would create nearly 30 wind turbines in
the town of Catlin. Resident Patricia Collins claims
that this should be on a ballot as a public referendum;
however town officials say the issue doesn’t merit one
due to state law requirements.
NextEra Energy already has 30 signatures showing
residential support in favor of the project, and is
close to passing a law that would let the building
begin. Not all residents are in agreement, though. Vicki
Petris states,
They make a lot of noise, they throw ice, in the winter
time they can. One of the other things is it can make
property values go down too.
Town officials are concerned about a potential loss of
$209,000 starting in 2018, but claim the $200,000 in
revenue it would receive from the wind project could
prevent the town from going into debt. Town Supervisor
LaVerne Phelps states, “If the wind company goes
forward, the turbines will be in the town of Catlin,
generating revenue going back to the town which will
help to offset the loss in sales tax revenue and help
stabilize the tax base.”
Is hate for wind just a lot of hot air?
Electricity from wind generation is poised to become a
leading source of renewable energy in the years to come.
So why do so many people not want it? Is it simply a
fear of the unknown and not based on facts? There are
studies for both sides of the argument that “prove”
property values will or will not go down, that wind
farms do or do not cause health issues, and that birds are
in more or less danger from wind farms. With the rapid
growth of this industry and the numerous backlashes from
groups who oppose it in their backyards, this issue
appears here to stay. Whether or not people will ever
find common ground on wind energy is still in question.
What are your feelings on wind farms?
-They’re great and will steer us away from dirty
electricity!
-You couldn’t pay me enough to live near those
monstrosities!
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