REPORT BACK: Wind Farm Hearing

[Stacee Fischer]

StaceeLea Fischer wrote:

Regarding the Washoe Co. hearing about the windmill project, it seemed to be skewed in one direction for awhile - the residents were so passionate.. and actually seemed to have a few valid points. Several of them requested that the 2 southernmost windmills be eliminated or moved.

However, the proponents began to speak later, and things took a positive turn. One remarkable speaker was one of the residents. She said she lived closest to where the in-road to the project would go, and her home would be impacted the most. She was completely in support of the project. She said she was a scientist, and gave some impressive credentials- that she could present reasonable scientific arguments to most of the residents' complaints...... and then her 2 minutes was up! She was very brave to stand up for an unpopular perspective.

The guy from the Sierra Club was pretty cool, supportive, but 'we need to take a look at this section and that section of the agreement, etc. The person representing local weather people said the windmills would definitely impact satellite, etc., and they needed to work together.

I liked the guy who said (paraphrasing) 'Alternative energy is visible, unlike what we're used to, so get used to it!' There were many decent speakers and reasonable perspectives, as well as those that were... not so much. I'm glad I went!
Stacee

[Dave Baker]

I stayed until after the vote, around 10:00. Stacee, after you left there was a lengthy period of questioning by the commissioners directed to either the applicant or county staff, as well as county legal advisers. Then commissioner Hibdon made a motion to approve the project with all the amended and proposed conditions, with 9 stipulations, citing various statutes, codes, regulations, etc. His motion was seconded. Then commissioner Lockard made a motion to amend Hibdon's motion to include stipulations from the Save Our Valley opposition. They voted on Lockard's motion, which passed 4-3. Next, commissioner Edwards moved that Lockard's motion be amended to include removing the two southernmost wind turbines. Cobb seconded, but this motion failed 4-3. So they went back to the original motion, I think, and it passed unanimously. It was pretty hard to follow at this point--even the commissioners were scratching their heads.

I really felt for the opponents of the project--they had many valid concerns (and a few invalid, I'd say). It was a relief when the proponents finally got to comment; I'm sure the opponents made a concerted effort to be there early and in force. I liked the lady scientist speaker, who said she was in her forties and still single because on Friday nights she preferred staying home reading science journals to going on dates. Bob Tregilus nailed it when he pointed out that we /will /be moving to green energy production, and solar and wind /will /be visible, so we must learn to accept that fact.

Bottom line though, despite all the comments for and against, I have a feeling the planning commission pretty much had their minds made up before hand and just needed to get a few more questions answered, making sure the project was done right, to clear the way for passage. After all, imagine how it would look if a clean energy project was denied after all the other developments they have approved. I came away feeling as if the Planning Commission did a good job, and honestly that's not what I expected going in.

As for the Wind Turbine Syndrome, hopefully setback requirements in the sparsely populated area will mitigate any concerns about this unsubstantiated claim that wind turbines cause illnesses. I'd like to see studies done by unbiased researchers. The websites all seem to cite the work of Dr. Nina Pierpont. On her website you will see videos galore on wind turbine noise, and - surprise! - you can even buy her book there. That's not to say her research isn't valid, but it would be nice if the "researcher" wasn't trying to make a buck off of the NIMBYs.

Another website article tells of a Maine physician who is on a crusade to stop wind projects in the state.

A 137-page report on www.turbinenoisehealthhumanrights.com describes "acoustic radiation" as a mix of "audible sound, infrasound and vibration, in a pulsating character, that appear to trigger serious reported health problems in those families living near wind turbine installations." Aniel is still working his way through that lengthy report. It cites several research papers.

Unfortunately, the website www.turbinenoisehealthhumanrights.com does not exist. Hmmm...

[Sabrina]

Thank you Stacey for this update! Wind turbines might be making people sick in Japan, as per a TreeHugger article. It is known as Wind Turbine Syndrome and has to do with the low frequency vibrations. Symptoms are presented as numbness, dizziness, and sleep disturbances. Some air conditioners and boilers have caused these same problems. Here's another from CleanTechnica that has a nice picture of the giant windmill right in the neighborhood.

[Stacey Shinn]

Wasn't the labor turnout incredible?!

[Billy]

I'm still shocked that the peeps think of the windfarm as unsightly. When they complete the project I'll bet they will change their tune. To me a wind turbine is one of the most cheerful constructs we have ever come up with. And to think they are generating electricity to boot! I'll be looking very much forward to the day I can visit my friends at Pyramid Lake and see the windfarm waving at me on the way.

Thanks for the report back and for getting to the meeting StaceeLea. The turnout certainly seemed to impress our county board according to this bit of news:

Washoe County planners have unanimously approved a 44-turbine wind farm north of Sparks, siding with proponents who touted job creation over concerns from neighbors about aesthetics... More on Ahora News Service