What is ‘the truth’ 
about wind turbines?

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Mr. Leffelman asserts in his letter titled “The truth about wind turbines,” that my “rhetoric” is misinforming many people. In light of this unsubstantiated assertion, please consider the information below, which includes easily accessible published articles and studies that are available for all to read. Then readers can determine on their own what is “The truth about wind turbines.” Absentee landowners are to be encouraged to demonstrate consideration for the people who live here. Resident landowners should talk to their neighbors. My goal is to inform and make available mounting evidence that contradicts the rosy picture that developers and those enlisted to be their “cheerleaders” portray.

Consider that some of my comments are confirmed from testimony heard directly from frustrated individuals who are living among the wind turbines. On two occasions they traveled many miles to attend open meetings in Walnut, most recently to attend an 8 a.m. Saturday meeting in December. The frustration comes from non-existent local regulations, lack of cooperation by developers and underfunded state agencies. They feel helpless because it is too late for them. In their minds, the only recourse is to get the word out in an attempt to preserve rural life beyond their backyards. Among other things, they argue vehemently against Mr. Leffelman’s opinion that these turbines are “tranquil and serene.” On this point, please read about the Minnesota experience in articles easily accessible on the Web site of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Of particular interest, for example, is an article appearing on Jan. 12 of this year regarding noise pollution.

Take time to view some of the wind education Web sites or attend meetings that present alternative viewpoints to the developer’s pitch. Three Web sites (more are listed at these Web sites) are easily accessed by searching for Web sites of the Industrial Wind Action Group, the Wisconsin Independent Citizens Opposing Wind Turbine Sites and Better Plan, Wisconsin. Learn more about obsolescence and how it affects the landowner. Read about flicker and noise and the documented health issues. Understand taxes and ways that developers can avoid them. Become aware of the possible irreversible damage to the land. Read, for example, from the Washington Post, that “based on computer modeling, researchers at Duke and Princeton universities found that windmill-generated turbulence raised pre-dawn surface temperatures by about four degrees and resulted in drier soil conditions.” This article is easily located on the Washington Post Web site for July 15, 2009.

Rick Reed, president of the Illinois Agricultural Aviation Association, made a presentation at our last Walnut meeting. His association has an excellent Web site that includes a statement of their policy and his contact information. He described huge challenges with the coexistence of wind turbines and aerial spraying. The policy of his association is: “Fields nearby or with erected wind turbines or meteorological testing towers will not be treated if deemed unsafe. If a decision is made to treat, the application cost will include a significant surcharge.” In his view, most crop dusters refuse to spray in wind turbine areas, and not just on parcels with turbines but also on neighboring farms. If you can find a willing pilot, it is not a simple “you just fly around them” situation as Mr. Leffelman describes. Flying around them requires many more runs, fuel and project time as well as increased safety risk. Mr. Reed also pointed out that a wind turbine farm will most likely be put at the bottom of a waiting list of non-turbine farms. Not a good position for a farmer renting such a farm. Mr. Reed stated that, although it is not a pleasant matter to contemplate, it is likely that inevitably there will be a serious crop duster/wind-turbine accident. A relevant matter for any landowner’s lawyer will be: Is the landowner liable or likely to be named in a possible lawsuit?

Mr. Leffelman, whom I’ve never met, labeled me a “pessimist” who surrounds myself with other “pessimists.” Notwithstanding my many business trips which have allowed me to interact with, among many others, cutting edge business leaders in the Silicon Valley (the new hotbed for renewable technologies), he chooses to label me as not “enlightened” to the benefits of wind energy. I prefer to label myself a “realist,” a concerned landowner who has done research and run the numbers.

As for the claims about the financial reward for farmers, readers should carefully scrub the numbers. Please accept that I have some experience in business and finance. The business economics of these deals are not attractive. Also, consider that, as has been recently revealed by the “Climate-gate” scandal reported extensively in the Wall Street Journal and other media outlets, there are developers who are in line to make many millions of dollars in the name of “green energy.”

I have been labeled a NIMBY (not in my backyard) but I am really a NIABY (not in anyone’s backyard). Although my family and I have been singled out, we represent many friends and neighbors who find it difficult to speak out for fear of jeopardizing lifelong relationships with neighbors with whom they must coexist. I am inspired to press on in large part because of the countless, private expressions of gratitude I hear from these friends and neighbors.

Please revisit Dan Miller’s (former chairman of the Illinois Commerce Commission) Jan. 13 article in the BCR titled, “Wind is not compatible with the mission.” Read his article in the Chicago Tribune on Jan. 8, 2010, titled “Problems with wind power.” Please visit some of the wind education Web sites to view videos and read studies and articles presenting evidence before you come to any conclusions as to “The truth about wind turbines.”

Larry Gerdes

Sarasota, Fla.