Letter: Questions following radio interview about wind farm
Dear editor,
On Wednesday, Feb. 13, Amy Kurt, representing EDP, was guest on WDWS radio. I appreciate her comments during the appearance and would like to respond to some of what she said. Amy mentioned that EDP had been testing the wind in Douglas County “since 2008”. I don’t remember any MET tower being in Douglas County before 2017 at the earliest. I ask now, where were they located?
Amy also mentioned that EDP used a “pretty standard lease” I am only 68 years old, but I don’t remember signing any lease that kept me from making any negative statements about the lease or required me to support the lease publicly.
As to the comment about “a lot of misinformation” and “scary rumors”, I don’t know her frame of reference. Her statements were general and not backed by any information. The information I have about Industrial Wind Complexes is verifiable and I have not heard only of the “scary rumors” to which she referred.
The statement that Newman Township “created zoning to block the Harvest Ridge Wind Farm from moving forward” is incorrect. As stated in the Township Ordinance, zoning was created to “promote the public safety, comfort and general welfare of the people of Newman Township, conserving the values of property throughout the Township.”
Amy also mentioned that “counties zone for wind.” Douglas County has no zoning. Therefore, I believe that the township has the responsibility and authority to enact zoning.
Amy said that 1/4 of the electricity generated by the proposed Industrial Wind Turbine Complex has been sold to Wal-Mart, 1/2 to The Wabash Valley Power Association. The other 1/4 was not mentioned. Further, she said that Southeastern Douglas County will benefit from the power generated. In fact, she said that a “big portion of the power project will be staying right here in Central Illinois.” Southeastern Douglas County is Bowdre and Sergeant Townships. Hindsboro is the only city in this area and has a population of 303. They must use a lot of electricity down there. Incidentally, selling 100 percent of your product, power, before any ground is broken would be much like farmers selling 100 percent of their crop before ground was broken.
Amy also mentioned that Iowa, Kansas, and Texas were more than 50 percent wind power. The Des Moines Register on May 30, 2018 stated that Iowa as receiving 37 percent of electricity from wind power. Wikipedia states that according to the Energy Reliability Council of Texas, wind power generates 15.7 percent of electricity in Texas, not “more than 50 percent.”
I agree with Amy on one point. Regarding wind power, she stated “studies are updated every year.” They certainly are, and many studies are showing that Industrial Wind Complexes, if they are to be sited, should be far away from any population. The high cost to tax payers is simply reinforced year after year.
With wind power, the word “lawsuit” is often used. Check the Des Moines Register of Nov. 21, 2018 to see that this cuts both ways.
Lastly, check the Watertown Daily News of Sept. 16, 2018. EDP is challenging the right to assess its turbines because, it claims, what is being assessed are removable machinery and personal, not real, property. So much for the millions in tax money.
Jim Allen
Newman