Last Thursday, May 5, I experienced an amazing disregard of my rights as a landowner—as well as a disregard for facts and reality. An extremely vocal minority invoked fear in the commissioners. They preached countless untruths and ultimately got their way in blocking wind energy, not only for local families to flourish, but for the county as a whole to benefit. This experience has left me wondering what my neighbors who are two miles away will try to stop me from doing next. It has left me wondering how much my voice, taxes, and vote really matter.
I think there is clearly a lot of fear about wind turbines and wind farms, and a lot of it stems from misunderstandings. The environmental and economic benefits of renewable energy in our county would mean security for future generations, as well as new equipment and even medical expenses for current landowners. It’s not all about the money—it’s about continuing our way of life and supporting our families. But a group’s concern about the view from their porch, and the commissioner’s misguided vote, has prohibited these opportunities.
I am a happy participant in the Honey Creek Wind project because of the opportunity it presents. And I’m speaking as someone whose property won’t even have a wind turbine on it! I will be near a turbine, though, and I firmly believe that it’s not my place to harbor a grudge against that neighbor—for any property decision they make. It is also not my place to violate their private property rights or hope that the county does. Plus, those on the other side of this issue should reevaluate by digging deeper into the facts.
Wind turbines cannot be built if they pose a public health threat, and any company that wants to build them has to go through numerous, unbiased entities to receive approval. Data from landowners near turbines show no evidence of sleep disturbance or quality of life. Also, if a project has to be decommissioned, the turbines are removed no matter what happens to the company that owns the project and this—and the costs are covered by Apex (via a bond). The Ohio Power Siting Board requires this!
The facts stand, and this government intrusion on property rights doesn’t silence them. One of our commissioners said this was “historic.” Historic indeed—it’s a dark stain on the history of Crawford County. And you can bet those who believe in wind energy are far from ready to give up.
Douglas Bear
Galion, OH