Stray Voltage from Turbines Killing Cows

Guest column: No to turbines | htrnews.com | Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter


It's sad when those who support wind energy have no engineering facts to back their opinion and often resort to name calling to discredit the Wisconsin Independent Citizens Opposing Wind Turbine Sites (WINDCOWS).


Far too often, the effects that farmers face are overlooked. Misled into contracts like rats to poison, they, along with their neighbors, are left at the mercy of the developer.

For those who believe that the Public Service Commission (PSC) should set the safety standards for wind turbine placement, think again. Farmers who have dealt with the PSC on (stray) voltage issues would quickly tell you that the PSC standards are dead wrong. We call ourselves the Dairy State, but allow voltage contact high enough to kill our cows.

Instead of fixing the problem, the PSC denies that there is one. An upgrade of the electrical grid would solve many issues. Let it be noted that local utilities have come a long way, helping farmers solve some of the voltage issues through rewiring programs. However, the PSC and legislatures set the standards and this is where the argument continues.

If utilities are mandated into wind energy, will it create problems? Take into consideration that wind turbines have a variable speed generator, and that the grid is undersized. With wind being variable and usage being variable, will it be harder to stabilize the grid load?

Base load generator output — like coal and nuclear — can be controlled, while wind will increase and decrease without warning. You must also remember that the earth is used as a neutral ground and that each turbine will create its own electrical path back to the substation. If your farm or house is in the path, will it have an adverse effect? The PSC says no, but I would object.

In Fond du Lac County, people are complaining of flu-like symptoms from noise and flicker in their wind farm areas. While this may be a factor, could it also be electromagnetic frequencies (EMF)? With multiple underground cables and turbines scattered around the area, are people feeling the effects of electrical pollution? If you read what residents are saying on the Rock County Web site (www.betterspace.com) and look under Google health effects under EMFs, compare the two and make your own opinion.

So few people know that Navitas Energy has permits for 49 turbines in northern Manitowoc County. While pro-wind people will jump for joy, farmers will watch their land be divided into little wedges for roadways.

Like always, some farmers are too busy to read the operator's manual when they get a new machine on their farm. Only when they realize that something is seriously wrong will they take a look at the Vestas turbine manual, which clearly states a 1,300-foot distance should be kept.

For those who think that the Manitowoc County Wind Ordinance is wrong, you are right. It does not meet the requirements of health and safety found in the Vestas manual. Even though challenged in court by WINDCOWS, turbines in some cases will be as close as 600 feet to people's houses.

The old ordinance was based on the state model, which was drafted without engineering facts by the PSC for political reasons. The PSC is appointed by Gov. Doyle. You must also know that the old ordinance was written with the help of the former president of Navitas Energy. He now sits in prison for fraud. Google up Greg Jaunich, the former Navitas president, and you will see that wind energy in Manitowoc County may not be such a good idea after all.

Jerome Hlinak is a Tisch Mills dairy farmer and and WINDCOWS member.