Industrial wind farms not such a good idea

Watertown Daily Times | Industrial wind farms not such a good idea

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2011


Regarding industrial wind turbines in Northern New York, it is sad to have heard that the wind-energy companies go into an area and convince landowners to sign up for contracts to allow turbines to be placed on their property before approaching any governmental body to present their plans. Time and again, this underhanded approach has caused major rifts between friends and family members and has resulted in heated discussions at local town board meetings.

Also, the viability of these turbines as “green” sources of energy is in question. I have attended several informational meetings and town board meetings over the last few years, and I have not heard any wind-energy company representative make any statement regarding how much reduction in fossil-fuel consumption can be realized. They are also not forthcoming as to what becomes of these towering structures once their useful life has expired.

Remember, too, that large amounts of our tax dollars are subsidizing these companies to build these projects under the guise of being ecologically sound. I don’t think these companies would be pushing these programs on their own. Throw in the environmental and health issues (loss of wildlife habitat, killing of birds and bats, noise levels, light flicker) and these industrial wind farms are not such a good idea.

Richard Cousineau


Chaumont