Dear Editor, I have been hearing some misconceptions regarding the North Fork windmill project.
I just wanted to clear the air with actual verifiable facts. The issues that were brought up are: 1) The wear and tear of the roads were an issue. National Grid Renewables has stated that they will maintain the roads through the building project.
2) What will happen to the windmills if and when this project ends is addressed in the contract. They will be removed by the company in a reasonable and timely fashion.
3) Contamination of the ground and water from oil leaks. These are not the same windmills that were placed by Crofton and Bloomfield 15 or 20 years ago. They are self-contained. Any oil leaks drip down the inside and are captured in a basin at the foot of the windmill. They are checked regularly. If a leak is found, it is fixed and the oil is removed and disposed of properly.
4) The opposition claimed that stewardship of the land is their main concern. Then why are they not supporting one of the cleanest forms of energy? We are already getting suggestions from the power companies on when to wash clothes, do dishes or even run irrigation. We, as a country, need to follow the lead that has been set up all over Europe where approximately 50 percent of their power comes from the wind. And their air pollution levels are far below ours.
5) It was stated that they are not an efficient way to produce energy. They are actually more efficient and less polluting than many of the other ways we obtain our energy.
These are opinions that have been spoken, so I added my opinion.
6) Some people thought the windmills were ugly. I personally think they are beautiful sitting in the middle of a cornfield. They are less of an eyesore than the cell towers or the water tower in Wausa.
7) Again, back to aesthetics, some people complained about the flashing lights. The new windmills are set up with radar and the lights come on only if there is a plane in the area.
Sincerely, Garnet A. Anderson, Wausa
