Welcome to Wind Truth Alliance -- For Responsible Regulation

This community adopted a strong new wind energy ordinance on Dec. 17, 2007. It includes a one-mile setback from homes and workplaces, a half-mile setback from property lines, and a two-mile setback from wildlife refuges. It also has a 40 dbA upper noise limit and strong noise restrictions. It was drafted by a citizens advisory committee.

The Wind Advisory Committee submitted their official recommendation against wind turbine development to The Gaines Town Board .
After months of deliberation, the committee decided commercial wind energy is not in the best interest of the town in a majority 6-2 vote at the end of November.

Airtricity, an international wind development company based out of Dublin, Ireland, has proposed constructing 55 to 80 wind turbines on land in the Towns of Gaines and Albion.
Additionally the town will consider extending the wind energy moratorium an additional six months when it comes due in June. The move would give them an entire year to continue researching the issue.

The committee’s recommendations outline desired requirements for the towers as such: blade height must be 30 feet from the ground, construction will take no longer than one year, the towers shall not interfere with signals for radio, television, cell phone or other personal communication systems, fire training, insurance and water district cost shall be provided and paid for by Airtricity, and the power lines shall run underground to the nearest transmission station.

Any historical impacts should be taken into consideration and Airtricity shall be responsible for any reduction in property values within a 1.5 to 2 mile radius. The committee recommends private agricultural and residential wind towers be permitted for residential or single farm use, but regulated separately.

On the issue of shadow flicker, the committee recommends the towers be shut down during a specific time period until the sun no longer causes the turbine to cast a flicker. They also strongly recommend the towers be fully assessed and taxed despite the state’s efforts to allow wind energy companies tax exemption. To guard against the frequent transfer of ownership from wind company to wind company, the committee advises the town require approval in transfers of 51 percent or more.

Applause filled the Gillespie County Commissioners’ Courtroom Thursday after commissioners passed a resolution opposing wind farms in Gillespie County. Signed by Gillespie County Judge Mark Stroeher and all four commissioners, the document states the court’s opposition to “the construction and installation of industrial wind farms in Gillespie County and the surrounding Hill Country area.” The Llano City Council had recently passed a similar resolution to the one approved during the meeting.
Commissioner Donnie Schuch said the decision must “consider private property rights of everyone” and take into account what was “best for the total, not for the few.”
A highlight of the resolution was the commissioners’ concern of the “negative impact” economically that the county would see if turbines were constructed in the area.
The document notes the belief of appraisers and realtors “that land values in the area in which industrial wind farms are situated will be substantially decreased.”

President Sarkozy announces end of wind turbine rush.
The new president of France, Nicolas Sarkozy, has committed to: "the end of the rush that has characterized French policy on wind turbines up to now and that ultimately means degradation of the environment. New wind turbines will be installed first in brownfields and far from emblematic locales. This new policy marks the end of industrial wind turbine installations in rural and wild areas. It is also a powerful contribution to the image of France and shows Europe that an energy policy can reconcile the fight against global warming and respect for the countryside and every life." With the type of experience with the wind energy industry that is lacking in the US, The French have decided that wind energy at any cost is not acceptable.

09/07 Bowling Green, Ohio

This is where the turbines are located that many industrial wind turbine proponents in our area look to an examples of wind turbines that are loved by people who live there.

“Wind Farm Planners Try to Clear Air” Bowling Green Sentinel-Tribune

Amid staunch distrust and accusations, AMP-Ohio CEO Mark Gerken asked Plain and Liberty township residents for understanding and cooperation during Wednesday's meeting with planners for a Wood County wind farm.

This was the second meeting AMP, JW Great Lakes and Bowling Green Utilities held to address concerns of residents in the area once identified as a possible site for wind power generation. Gerken promised that planners are not working with a map that singles them out and asked them….to look at the project from the perspective of long-term energy needs.

"Trust me, AMP-Ohio and its members are not going to install something if all we get are people calling in and saying they don't like it," he said, noting that the feasibility study now underway does not have a specific site in mind and that the project will not go forward if deemed unworkable.

Opposition voiced at the meeting centered largely on the proximity of turbines to homes, with some expressing reluctant acceptance while others asserted they would only be happy if the turbines were placed in the middle of the desert. Phil Titus, who oversees a group of concerned citizens, remarked that it would be "cruel, heartless and callous" if the turbines were placed so that both they and the four turbines at the county landfill were all visible from his house.

"It's difficult to believe, when you throw the word trust around. We feel that economic development in Wood County is involved," he told planners. "We feel our site was selected because our trustees would benefit, that it was a convenient site to put through."

“Turbines Stir Concerns - Plain Twp. residents not pleased with plans for wind farm” Bowling Green Sentinel-Tribune August 21, 2007

Residents and officials found clear answers regarding plans to develop a 33-tower wind farm south of U.S. 6 west of Bowling Green to be at a premium Monday night during the Plain Township Trustees meeting.

More than 40 residents attended to express concern about the impact of the towers on the area around Euler Road and Sand Ridge Road, citing negative effects on quality of life and property values in the community.

Residents were also unsatisfied with the lack of information that has so far been made available to the public. "This has been thrown at us so suddenly that we have not had the time to address this situation accurately", said Travis Chapin, of Euler Road. "However, we are quite confident that we don't want a legion of 33 windmills standing guard over our neighborhood with the promise of more wind soldiers in the future."

Trustee Dean Augenstein, however, said he would deny a permit from JWGL if it came before the board, reserving the right to change his mind if the deal would provide a significant financial benefit to the township. "But I don't want to see 100 or more windmills down along Euler Road or Sand Ridge Road or any place else," he said to applause. Other residents had concerns about strobing effects created by the turbine blades as well as the risk from damaged turbines during severe weather.