Generating power

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The Bureau County Republican picked the title of my letter to the editor, “What is the truth about wind turbines”. Mr. Gerdes has had his rebuttal, but I stand behind my “truth” 100 percent. I also question the letter Gerdes requested from Rex Reed of the aviation association. Perhaps the aerial spray contractor that sprays in Lee County didn’t get the word because they have no problem with the wind generators. 

I also want to note another gross untruth that was stated at the late October meeting at the community center in Walnut. It was stated that after the last sale of Mendota Hills wind farm near Paw Paw that the landowners were now receiving only “$100 per month compensation, down considerably from the initial amount.” We then contacted landowners there and found that was completely untrue. In fact, one stated they are “making more money now than before. We are paid by the kilowatt hours produced.” The person at that meeting who made the statement had to have known that the statement was untrue. In Lee County, we call that, a lie!

I also want to be clear that I have no involvement with the wind generator company, nor do I receive any compensation from them. I only gave my opinion to refute Mr. Gerdes’ pessimistic “rhetoric.” Untruths must be dealt with, hence my involvement. You say so many folks disputed my letter. Then let’s hear from them because all I’ve seen are e-mails that agree with me, and all of the conversations from folks in the Walnut area that have called, e-mailed, talked to in person, and none agreed with Mr. Gerdes. I wonder why? 

However, I really do not condone the placement of millions of wind generators which our federal government is financing as “alternative energy.” They want 10 percent of our energy coming from alternate sources by 2020. Right now, it’s about 1 percent. What is it going to be with 20 percent? It is ridiculous! 

What we need is for our legislators to renew financing nuclear power which is the only sensible way to generate power. We all should realize that within 25 years, the nuclear power sites in Illinois will be obsolete. Byron, Cordova, Marseilles, Braidwood will be off line because of age. What happens then? Power will have to come from “dirty” coal, and that source is not likely if we keep the “tree huggers” in charge of government. So what do we do? 

Mr. Gerdes, do you have an opinion on this that is not far out in left field? You’ve spent a lot of time with eggheads in your trips to the Silicon Valley. What do they say? We need off shore and ANWAR oil drilling, so that we become independent of the oil shahs who hate us. Again, too many tree huggers and naysayers are in charge of government right now. 

Perhaps someday we could possibly meet, Mr. Gerdes, but you need to come our way. I prefer the serenity of our area over the hot, steamy weather in your part of the world. I understand that you own some land up here; you may need to visit that sometime. I’ll give you a tour of the GSG wind towers. GSG – “God’s Sustaining Gift.”

Larry Leffelman

Sublette

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