Tonight, the Bengal Township board passed an ordinance regulating wind turbines with five yes votes!
Thank you so much, Bengal board members, for helping to protect our rural community and way of life. Thanks also to Bengal, Dallas, and Essex township residents for all of their hard work and support.
Mark your calendars ... the Clinton County Planning Commission & Zoning Board of Appeals will be discussing the Forest Hill Energy special land use permit at their December 13, 2012 meeting. The meeting will be in the Board of Commissioners Room, Suite 1300, Courthouse, 100 E. State Street, St Johns.
The township boards have been listening to their constituents. Now it's time to move to the county level. We hope to see you at the meeting.
You can see the Planning & Zoning web site here.
You can read the meeting agenda here.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Meeting tomorrow
The Bengal Township Board's special meeting to discuss wind turbines in our community is tomorrow - Thursday, November 29 at 7:00 pm, at the Bengal Township Hall at 6586 West M-21.
This may be the last chance for the board to approve an ordinance, so please attend if you can.
If you are unable to attend, you can find the board members' contact information below. Thank you.
Deborah Schafer (new member)
7857 West Parks Road
St Johns MI 48879
989-593-2325
dschafer53@hotmail.com
Denice Schultheiss (new member)
2801 S Forest Hill Rd
St Johns MI 48879
517-927-9273
Eric Mohnke
6357 West Parks Road
St. Johns, MI 48879
989-224-9479
mohnkee@bengaltownship.org
Marilyn Irrer
4507 South Francis Road
St. Johns, MI 48879
989-224-7685
irrerm@bengaltownship.org
Steve Mahoney
4950 West Taft Road
St. Johns, MI 48879
989-224-4361
mahoneys@bengaltownship.org
This may be the last chance for the board to approve an ordinance, so please attend if you can.
If you are unable to attend, you can find the board members' contact information below. Thank you.
Deborah Schafer (new member)
7857 West Parks Road
St Johns MI 48879
989-593-2325
dschafer53@hotmail.com
Denice Schultheiss (new member)
2801 S Forest Hill Rd
St Johns MI 48879
517-927-9273
Eric Mohnke
6357 West Parks Road
St. Johns, MI 48879
989-224-9479
mohnkee@bengaltownship.org
Marilyn Irrer
4507 South Francis Road
St. Johns, MI 48879
989-224-7685
irrerm@bengaltownship.org
Steve Mahoney
4950 West Taft Road
St. Johns, MI 48879
989-224-4361
mahoneys@bengaltownship.org
Monday, November 26, 2012
Lansing State Journal article on Clinton County turbines
Today on the front page of the Lansing State Journal is an article by Steven R. Reed:
Turbine tension: Ordinances may decide fate of Clinton Co wind-turbine project
The beginning of the article reads:
For four years, the developers of a $123 million, Clinton County wind-turbine farm have steered the project through opposition from some residents who learned their homes and property could be subject to the noise, ice throws, flickering shadows and financial impacts of 40 whirling towers each standing 427 feet tall.
At various times, Forest Hill Energy LLC has advanced, compromised and stood firm, depending on the reasonableness and financial consequences of the demands made by its leaseholders, local governments and project opponents.
By February, all of the local ordinances and licensing requirements created to address such developments likely will be finalized.
At that point, Forest Hills manager Tim Brown of Chicago and his investors could be forced to decide whether to build a smaller, quieter, safer — and therefore less profitable — project than envisioned.
Or, they might decide to abandon the project, sell it, or up the ante in an expensive court fight with no guarantee of success.
“It is a little surprising to see this project running into controversy when the Clinton County standards are far, far stronger than those in Gratiot County, where a much larger wind project, with taller turbines, is moving forward and seems to have widespread acceptance and no evidence of the kind of health and safety issues that the opponents to our project contend are common,” Brown said.
Or, as some opponents suggest, perhaps Forest Hill Energy’s attempt to build an industrial-grade wind-turbine farm in a more populous and prosperous suburban county predictably was perceived as a threat to the health, quality of life and financial well-being of homeowners living near the project and those in the path of its future expansion.
Project timeline
In summary, the last four years witnessed:
• The announcement of a 29-turbine project in 2008 and its expansion to 40 turbines in 2010.
• The sign-up by Forest Hill Energy of an estimated 27 or 28 landowners willing to host turbines in their fields in exchange for a signing bonus and a share of revenues from the future sale of electricity.
• The organization of grass-roots opposition centered in Dallas, Essex and Bengal townships.
• Creation in 2010 of a Clinton County zoning ordinance and the revision of the ordinance in 2011 to tighten the restrictions.
• Application to the county by Forest Hill Energy for a still-pending, special-use permit to build and operate the wind turbines.
• Passage by the Dallas (September) and Essex (October) township boards of wind-turbine ordinances that are more restrictive than the county’s. Bengal Township has a similarly more-restrictive ordinance under consideration.
Ordinances key
Those for and against the project agree the township ordinances are forcing the issue like nothing else had.
The township ordinances “are not intended to facilitate the development of the wind farms” and “would not work for a project like ours,” said Brown, the developer. “We’re going to have to examine the situation with the townships pretty extensively.”
The townships’ setback provisions and height restrictions would prevent placement of 427-feet-tall turbines in the townships, Brown said.
“They (township boards) know exactly what our heights are … so they’re deliberately picking heights that don’t accommodate what our plan is,” he said.
If Forest Hill’s plans comply with the county’s ordinance but conflict with the townships’ ordinances, which ordinance rules?
“There’s really no doubt about that particular issue. Townships can adopt stricter ordinances,” said Okemos attorney William Fahey, who wrote the “police protective ordinances” adopted by the Dallas and Essex township boards.
The ordinance passed by Clinton County’s Board of Commissioners “says in it three different times that it defers to any stricter ordinances that are adopted,” Fahey said.
Though Clinton County has taken a less-restrictive stance, Forest Hill Energy cannot count on the county as a partner in any court fight with the townships.
“What the townships elected to do is their own business,” Clinton County Administrator Ryan Wood said. “We don’t have a conflict with the townships. If their ordinance is challenged, it won’t be by us.”
To read the rest of the article go here:
Turbine tension: Ordinances may decide fate of Clinton Co wind-turbine project
Turbine tension: Ordinances may decide fate of Clinton Co wind-turbine project
The beginning of the article reads:
For four years, the developers of a $123 million, Clinton County wind-turbine farm have steered the project through opposition from some residents who learned their homes and property could be subject to the noise, ice throws, flickering shadows and financial impacts of 40 whirling towers each standing 427 feet tall.
At various times, Forest Hill Energy LLC has advanced, compromised and stood firm, depending on the reasonableness and financial consequences of the demands made by its leaseholders, local governments and project opponents.
By February, all of the local ordinances and licensing requirements created to address such developments likely will be finalized.
At that point, Forest Hills manager Tim Brown of Chicago and his investors could be forced to decide whether to build a smaller, quieter, safer — and therefore less profitable — project than envisioned.
Or, they might decide to abandon the project, sell it, or up the ante in an expensive court fight with no guarantee of success.
“It is a little surprising to see this project running into controversy when the Clinton County standards are far, far stronger than those in Gratiot County, where a much larger wind project, with taller turbines, is moving forward and seems to have widespread acceptance and no evidence of the kind of health and safety issues that the opponents to our project contend are common,” Brown said.
Or, as some opponents suggest, perhaps Forest Hill Energy’s attempt to build an industrial-grade wind-turbine farm in a more populous and prosperous suburban county predictably was perceived as a threat to the health, quality of life and financial well-being of homeowners living near the project and those in the path of its future expansion.
Project timeline
In summary, the last four years witnessed:
• The announcement of a 29-turbine project in 2008 and its expansion to 40 turbines in 2010.
• The sign-up by Forest Hill Energy of an estimated 27 or 28 landowners willing to host turbines in their fields in exchange for a signing bonus and a share of revenues from the future sale of electricity.
• The organization of grass-roots opposition centered in Dallas, Essex and Bengal townships.
• Creation in 2010 of a Clinton County zoning ordinance and the revision of the ordinance in 2011 to tighten the restrictions.
• Application to the county by Forest Hill Energy for a still-pending, special-use permit to build and operate the wind turbines.
• Passage by the Dallas (September) and Essex (October) township boards of wind-turbine ordinances that are more restrictive than the county’s. Bengal Township has a similarly more-restrictive ordinance under consideration.
Ordinances key
Those for and against the project agree the township ordinances are forcing the issue like nothing else had.
The township ordinances “are not intended to facilitate the development of the wind farms” and “would not work for a project like ours,” said Brown, the developer. “We’re going to have to examine the situation with the townships pretty extensively.”
The townships’ setback provisions and height restrictions would prevent placement of 427-feet-tall turbines in the townships, Brown said.
“They (township boards) know exactly what our heights are … so they’re deliberately picking heights that don’t accommodate what our plan is,” he said.
If Forest Hill’s plans comply with the county’s ordinance but conflict with the townships’ ordinances, which ordinance rules?
“There’s really no doubt about that particular issue. Townships can adopt stricter ordinances,” said Okemos attorney William Fahey, who wrote the “police protective ordinances” adopted by the Dallas and Essex township boards.
The ordinance passed by Clinton County’s Board of Commissioners “says in it three different times that it defers to any stricter ordinances that are adopted,” Fahey said.
Though Clinton County has taken a less-restrictive stance, Forest Hill Energy cannot count on the county as a partner in any court fight with the townships.
“What the townships elected to do is their own business,” Clinton County Administrator Ryan Wood said. “We don’t have a conflict with the townships. If their ordinance is challenged, it won’t be by us.”
To read the rest of the article go here:
Turbine tension: Ordinances may decide fate of Clinton Co wind-turbine project
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Readying for Nov 29 meeting
If you have time this holiday week, please contact the Bengal board members about the Police Protection Ordinance and your views on wind turbines. Thank you.
Deborah Schafer (new member)
7857 West Parks Road
St Johns MI 48879
989-593-2325
dschafer53@hotmail.com
Denice Schultheiss (new member)
2801 S Forest Hill Rd
St Johns MI 48879
517-927-9273
Eric Mohnke
6357 West Parks Road
St. Johns, MI 48879
989-224-9479
mohnkee@bengaltownship.org
Marilyn Irrer
4507 South Francis Road
St. Johns, MI 48879
989-224-7685
irrerm@bengaltownship.org
Steve Mahoney
4950 West Taft Road
St. Johns, MI 48879
989-224-4361
mahoneys@bengaltownship.org
Deborah Schafer (new member)
7857 West Parks Road
St Johns MI 48879
989-593-2325
dschafer53@hotmail.com
Denice Schultheiss (new member)
2801 S Forest Hill Rd
St Johns MI 48879
517-927-9273
Eric Mohnke
6357 West Parks Road
St. Johns, MI 48879
989-224-9479
mohnkee@bengaltownship.org
Marilyn Irrer
4507 South Francis Road
St. Johns, MI 48879
989-224-7685
irrerm@bengaltownship.org
Steve Mahoney
4950 West Taft Road
St. Johns, MI 48879
989-224-4361
mahoneys@bengaltownship.org
Contact Dave Camp
For everyone in the entire county (NOT just Bengal Township) who is concerned about the impending industrial wind turbines proposed for Bengal, Essex and Dallas Townships:
Funding for wind energy projects grandfathers under our federal budget on December 31st. As most of you are aware, Congress is at this present moment hammering out a budget for 2013. Another way to halt this project is to stop the flow of federal dollars.
Our U.S. Representative, Dave Camp, is also chairperson of the House Ways and Means Committee. He does take a count of letters, calls, etc. regarding each issue.
PLEASE CONTACT HIM IMMEDIATELY to request stopping federal funding for wind energy projects anywhere.
(Below you will find a letter you can use as a prototype.)
If you need to write to Representative Camp, his address is on that letter. If you need to call him, his Midland office's phone number is 1-800-342-2455. If you can email, go to https://camp.house.gov/contact/contactform.htm.
If each one of us gets just 10 other people to send an email, this will put a lot of pressure on Rep. Camp. He pulled his advertisement supporting wind farms after a company which supports him wrote him. The ad was pulled the next day!
Should you have any questions, please email Elizabeth Ayoub: elizaylaw@hotmail.com
Working with all of you at the township, county, and federal level---
Elizabeth
---------------
David Camp
U.S. Representative
135 Ashland Street
Midland, MI 48640
Dear Representative Camp:
I write to you in your position as Chairperson of the House Ways and Means Committee. As are a majority of U.S. citizens, I am concerned about our debt and the projects being funded by the U.S. Government.
I request that the federal government NOT fund any wind energy projects anywhere. I urge your committee to make sensible fiscal cuts. Wind energy is not as efficient as other sources of energy.
They are only 30% efficient. In order to survive, these projects must be highly subsidized.
In view of the fact that our nation has an abundance of natural gas, it does not make sense for our nation to fund inefficient sources of energy such as wind or solar.
Thank you for listening to this constituent,
(Name)
(Address)
(email)
Funding for wind energy projects grandfathers under our federal budget on December 31st. As most of you are aware, Congress is at this present moment hammering out a budget for 2013. Another way to halt this project is to stop the flow of federal dollars.
Our U.S. Representative, Dave Camp, is also chairperson of the House Ways and Means Committee. He does take a count of letters, calls, etc. regarding each issue.
PLEASE CONTACT HIM IMMEDIATELY to request stopping federal funding for wind energy projects anywhere.
(Below you will find a letter you can use as a prototype.)
If you need to write to Representative Camp, his address is on that letter. If you need to call him, his Midland office's phone number is 1-800-342-2455. If you can email, go to https://camp.house.gov/contact/contactform.htm.
If each one of us gets just 10 other people to send an email, this will put a lot of pressure on Rep. Camp. He pulled his advertisement supporting wind farms after a company which supports him wrote him. The ad was pulled the next day!
Should you have any questions, please email Elizabeth Ayoub: elizaylaw@hotmail.com
Working with all of you at the township, county, and federal level---
Elizabeth
---------------
David Camp
U.S. Representative
135 Ashland Street
Midland, MI 48640
Dear Representative Camp:
I write to you in your position as Chairperson of the House Ways and Means Committee. As are a majority of U.S. citizens, I am concerned about our debt and the projects being funded by the U.S. Government.
I request that the federal government NOT fund any wind energy projects anywhere. I urge your committee to make sensible fiscal cuts. Wind energy is not as efficient as other sources of energy.
They are only 30% efficient. In order to survive, these projects must be highly subsidized.
In view of the fact that our nation has an abundance of natural gas, it does not make sense for our nation to fund inefficient sources of energy such as wind or solar.
Thank you for listening to this constituent,
(Name)
(Address)
(email)
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Windfall or wind fail?
This letter to the editor was published in today's Clinton County News:
Will the proposed wind farms in Clinton County be a Windfall or Wind Fail? Forest Hill Energy and Fowler Farms are local-sounding names used by a Chicago company. Make no mistake; they have no vested interest in our community once the turbines go up and they receive their government payment.
Research shows that payment agreements are already being broken for turbines built in Gratiot, Huron, Tuscola and Sanilac Counties. Because of the tremendously high cost of litigation, these four counties have been forced to pool taxpayer resources to fight for their promised payments from Detroit Edison. The companies who built the turbines are nowhere to be found in this battle. They have taken their money and walked away.
A headline in the Huron County View reads, “County Frustrated by Wind Issues”. In an excerpt from that article, a county commissioner states, “We moved ahead on these projects on spec, and what we were told in the beginning has not happened”. Let’s not make the same mistakes here in Clinton County. Take advantage of this insight and encourage your elected officials to protect our county from this Wind Fail.
Kathy George
St Johns
Share your letter by sending it to Tom Thelen - tthelen@lsj.com. It's limited to 200 words. You must include your name, address, and phone number.
Will the proposed wind farms in Clinton County be a Windfall or Wind Fail? Forest Hill Energy and Fowler Farms are local-sounding names used by a Chicago company. Make no mistake; they have no vested interest in our community once the turbines go up and they receive their government payment.
Research shows that payment agreements are already being broken for turbines built in Gratiot, Huron, Tuscola and Sanilac Counties. Because of the tremendously high cost of litigation, these four counties have been forced to pool taxpayer resources to fight for their promised payments from Detroit Edison. The companies who built the turbines are nowhere to be found in this battle. They have taken their money and walked away.
A headline in the Huron County View reads, “County Frustrated by Wind Issues”. In an excerpt from that article, a county commissioner states, “We moved ahead on these projects on spec, and what we were told in the beginning has not happened”. Let’s not make the same mistakes here in Clinton County. Take advantage of this insight and encourage your elected officials to protect our county from this Wind Fail.
Kathy George
St Johns
Share your letter by sending it to Tom Thelen - tthelen@lsj.com. It's limited to 200 words. You must include your name, address, and phone number.
Essex Township ordinance
On Oct 17, 2012, Essex Township passed a Police Protection Ordinance regarding wind turbines.
You can read the Essex Township ordinance to regulate wind energy conversion systems in its entirety here:
Essex Township Wind Energy Conversion Systems Ordinance
You can read the Essex Township ordinance to regulate wind energy conversion systems in its entirety here:
Essex Township Wind Energy Conversion Systems Ordinance
Friday, November 16, 2012
Bengal Township special meeting - Nov 29
The Bengal Township Board will have a special meeting to discuss wind turbines on Thursday, November 29 at 7:00 pm.
It will be at the Bengal Township Hall at 6586 West M-21.
Here's another chance to talk to the board and tell them why you want a Police Protection Ordinance. This PPO is a compromise that doesn't disallow turbines. It just makes them quieter and farther away from others' property.
If you have a chance, perhaps you'd like to personally contact Eric Mohnke and Marilyn Irrer (the no votes on the Police Protection Ordinance on Nov 14) before the meeting.
Eric Mohnke
6357 West Parks Road
St. Johns, MI 48879
989-224-9479
mohnkee@bengaltownship.org
Marilyn Irrer
4507 South Francis Road
St. Johns, MI 48879
989-224-7685
irrerm@bengaltownship.org
There will also be two new board members present at this meeting. Arleita Schafer (989-224-2565 arleitaschafer@gmail.com) and Judith Huhn have completed their terms. The new members are:
Deborah Schafer
7857 West Parks Road
St Johns MI 48879
989-593-2325
dschafer53@hotmail.com
Denice Schultheiss
2801 S Forest Hill Rd
St Johns MI 48879
517-927-9273
Please take the opportunity to have your voice heard. We hope to see you on Nov 29.
It will be at the Bengal Township Hall at 6586 West M-21.
Here's another chance to talk to the board and tell them why you want a Police Protection Ordinance. This PPO is a compromise that doesn't disallow turbines. It just makes them quieter and farther away from others' property.
If you have a chance, perhaps you'd like to personally contact Eric Mohnke and Marilyn Irrer (the no votes on the Police Protection Ordinance on Nov 14) before the meeting.
Eric Mohnke
6357 West Parks Road
St. Johns, MI 48879
989-224-9479
mohnkee@bengaltownship.org
Marilyn Irrer
4507 South Francis Road
St. Johns, MI 48879
989-224-7685
irrerm@bengaltownship.org
There will also be two new board members present at this meeting. Arleita Schafer (989-224-2565 arleitaschafer@gmail.com) and Judith Huhn have completed their terms. The new members are:
Deborah Schafer
7857 West Parks Road
St Johns MI 48879
989-593-2325
dschafer53@hotmail.com
Denice Schultheiss
2801 S Forest Hill Rd
St Johns MI 48879
517-927-9273
Please take the opportunity to have your voice heard. We hope to see you on Nov 29.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Bengal Township board ignores constituents
Over 150 people attended the Bengal Township board meeting tonight. They got up to speak against wind turbines, citing a variety of reasons why they wanted to board to adopt a Police Protection Ordinance similar to the one passed by Dallas and Essex Townships.
People spoke passionately about noise, safety, property values, and quality of life. People presented research, governmental studies, and personal testimony. People pointed out how it's a great compromise - it doesn't disallow turbines, it just makes them quieter and farther away from personal property. People spoke for two and a half hours, begging the board to represent them and protect them by passing the ordinance. One man simply asked, "Why wouldn't you?"
After everyone had a chance to speak, Eric Mohnke suggested the the board look over all the information and talk about it at another time. The crowd erupted with 'NO!" Judith Huhn gave a talk that garnered applause from the crowd - saying that Eric was wrong and the board had to finally do something. There was a lot of chatter among the board members about the ordinance as written. Stephen Mahoney offered up his changes to the PPO. Marilyn Irrer asked the board's lawyer what he suggested the board do. He said the ordinance would be legal and could be amended at any time.
In a tricky move, Eric moved that the board approve the PPO. Then when asked to vote he said, "No, on advice of counsel." (Never mind that his counsel hadn't advised that.) Judith Huhn voted yes. Marilyn Irrer voted no, parroting Eric. Stephen Mahoney voted yes. Then, inexplicable to this writer, as she didn't speak the entire meeting, Arleita Schafer voted no. The disbelief, desperation, and frustration in the room was overwhelming.
This township board simply does not listen to its constituents. Please follow by email (on the upper right) to get updates directly in your inbox.
People spoke passionately about noise, safety, property values, and quality of life. People presented research, governmental studies, and personal testimony. People pointed out how it's a great compromise - it doesn't disallow turbines, it just makes them quieter and farther away from personal property. People spoke for two and a half hours, begging the board to represent them and protect them by passing the ordinance. One man simply asked, "Why wouldn't you?"
After everyone had a chance to speak, Eric Mohnke suggested the the board look over all the information and talk about it at another time. The crowd erupted with 'NO!" Judith Huhn gave a talk that garnered applause from the crowd - saying that Eric was wrong and the board had to finally do something. There was a lot of chatter among the board members about the ordinance as written. Stephen Mahoney offered up his changes to the PPO. Marilyn Irrer asked the board's lawyer what he suggested the board do. He said the ordinance would be legal and could be amended at any time.
In a tricky move, Eric moved that the board approve the PPO. Then when asked to vote he said, "No, on advice of counsel." (Never mind that his counsel hadn't advised that.) Judith Huhn voted yes. Marilyn Irrer voted no, parroting Eric. Stephen Mahoney voted yes. Then, inexplicable to this writer, as she didn't speak the entire meeting, Arleita Schafer voted no. The disbelief, desperation, and frustration in the room was overwhelming.
This township board simply does not listen to its constituents. Please follow by email (on the upper right) to get updates directly in your inbox.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Important meeting Nov 14
Please plan to attend:
Bengal Township meeting
Wednesday, Nov 14
7:00 p.m.
Bengal Township Hall - 6586 West M-21
We look forward to seeing you there and hearing your opinion!
Bengal Township meeting
Wednesday, Nov 14
7:00 p.m.
Bengal Township Hall - 6586 West M-21
We look forward to seeing you there and hearing your opinion!
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Do we want Forest Hill Energy as our neighbor?
We published an ad in the Clinton County News this week:
Protecting our community, wildlife, and way of life from wind turbine companies
It reads as this. Feel free to share it, and we hope to hear from you at the Bengal Township meeting on Nov 14 at 7:00 p.m.
Your property value will decrease
In the Clinton County News last week, Forest Hill Energy cited a report by Berkeley Lab stating that property value is not decreased by proximity to wind turbines.
What they don’t say is: The Berkeley Lab is a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory, managed and operated by the University of California for the DOE. This is a clear conflict of interest.
Numerous other studies show that property is devalued. In a 133 turbine project in Ontario, property adjacent to turbines sold between 20 and 40 percent less than those out of sight of turbines.
Safety
Under the Clinton County setbacks, turbines can be 650 feet from your property. However, Vestas (a wind turbine company) has recommended their maintenance workers not even stand within 1300 feet of an operating turbine unless absolutely necessary.
The math is simple - and it means that you and your family are unprotected even when you're on your own land.
Health
The study Forest Hill Energy commonly cites did not conclude that wind turbines were safe near homes – only that more research was needed.
Check credible sources for yourself. There are numerous scientific, peer-reviewed studies that prove the turbines disturb sleep, as well as cause dizziness, increased blood pressure, and depression.
For instance, in a December 2011 peer-reviewed report in the Bulletin of Science, Technology & Society, Dr Carl Phillips – one of the U.S.’s most distinguished epidemiologists – concluded that there is ‘overwhelming evidence that wind turbines cause serious health problems in nearby residents, usually stress-disorder type diseases, at a nontrivial rate’.
Conclusion
Forest Hill Energy has not been forthcoming with the county and its residents from the beginning. Similar actions in Ontario have led to numerous health complaints and over 100 abandoned homes. Health Canada has now begun a two-year study of their wind farms and the link to these complaints.
Our county could be partnered with this company for 30 years. Can we trust them when they start this way? Do we want them as our lifetime neighbors? Contact your Clinton County officials today, while you still have a choice.
Get the facts: clintoncountywindwatch.org and clintoncountywindwatch.blogspot.com
Protecting our community, wildlife, and way of life from wind turbine companies
It reads as this. Feel free to share it, and we hope to hear from you at the Bengal Township meeting on Nov 14 at 7:00 p.m.
Your property value will decrease
In the Clinton County News last week, Forest Hill Energy cited a report by Berkeley Lab stating that property value is not decreased by proximity to wind turbines.
What they don’t say is: The Berkeley Lab is a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory, managed and operated by the University of California for the DOE. This is a clear conflict of interest.
Numerous other studies show that property is devalued. In a 133 turbine project in Ontario, property adjacent to turbines sold between 20 and 40 percent less than those out of sight of turbines.
Safety
Under the Clinton County setbacks, turbines can be 650 feet from your property. However, Vestas (a wind turbine company) has recommended their maintenance workers not even stand within 1300 feet of an operating turbine unless absolutely necessary.
The math is simple - and it means that you and your family are unprotected even when you're on your own land.
Health
The study Forest Hill Energy commonly cites did not conclude that wind turbines were safe near homes – only that more research was needed.
Check credible sources for yourself. There are numerous scientific, peer-reviewed studies that prove the turbines disturb sleep, as well as cause dizziness, increased blood pressure, and depression.
For instance, in a December 2011 peer-reviewed report in the Bulletin of Science, Technology & Society, Dr Carl Phillips – one of the U.S.’s most distinguished epidemiologists – concluded that there is ‘overwhelming evidence that wind turbines cause serious health problems in nearby residents, usually stress-disorder type diseases, at a nontrivial rate’.
Conclusion
Forest Hill Energy has not been forthcoming with the county and its residents from the beginning. Similar actions in Ontario have led to numerous health complaints and over 100 abandoned homes. Health Canada has now begun a two-year study of their wind farms and the link to these complaints.
Our county could be partnered with this company for 30 years. Can we trust them when they start this way? Do we want them as our lifetime neighbors? Contact your Clinton County officials today, while you still have a choice.
Get the facts: clintoncountywindwatch.org and clintoncountywindwatch.blogspot.com
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Our community is about to be changed forever ... by a company we know nothing about
An excerpt of this letter to the editor was submitted to the Clinton County News for publication:
The community we all love is about to be changed forever. Our landscape will be dotted with 40 monstrous wind turbines. Once they get their foot in the door, I have no doubt that those 40 turbines will soon become 80 and 120 and more. Some people will move, some people’s health will be negatively affected, everyone’s property values will take a nosedive, animals will suffer, and we
will have to look at gigantic metal monsters everywhere we turn. No one will move here or build here. Our electricity rates are going to soar. I have no animosity toward anyone, but there will be bad feelings among some neighbors and friendships of many years will be affected. All for what? For so-called green energy and, according to Forest Hill Energy’s website, 6 jobs per year in maintenance. If wind turbines could produce cost-effective energy that made economic sense, the free market would already be producing such energy and someone would be making a profit from it.
We have all learned new terms in the past couple of years and in recent months such as shadow flicker, dBAs and dBCs. We have heard over and over the concerns of the people who would have to live with these turbines. What has not been mentioned too much is this: Exactly why are we willing to sell out our community to a business who will not even tell us who they are?
I asked at a recent Essex Township meeting, “Who is Forest Hill Energy? Who owns it and where are the headquarters?” This is the answer I got: They are owned by “proprietors” and their headquarters are in Chicago. Why such an evasive answer? Many of us here are proud farmers who can trace our farm ownership back for four or five generations. We would never hesitate to say who “owns” our farm. I will bet that I could go to Chicago and I’m not going to see some big building with Forest Hill Energy on the front. They did not even have a website I could find until last week. I found an address listed for them on S. Forest Hill Rd. When I drove by it, it was someone’s house. There is no Forest
Hill Energy sign. We all know that it is just a small energy company formed for the purpose of getting huge government grants to get the wind farm off the ground.
Who really owns it? Is it GE? Is it a Chinese, Greek, or Swedish company? It could be any of those, and it could be all of those at different times over the years. I don’t like the cloak of secrecy and mystery. In my opinion, a business is up front about who they are and where they are and who calls the shots. We are being asked to make a huge sacrifice for a secretive government-funded company
who might just fold up their tent as soon as the turbines are built and morph into some other company or just fade into the distance. When the huge government subsidies dry up, who is going to tend to the turbines?
The Essex and Dallas Township boards took what action they could and passed an ordinance with stricter regulations on the height, decibel level and allowable distance from residences. We are all grateful for their decision. I pray that Bengal Township will join them.
We the people will have no vote on this issue. The final decision rests with the Clinton County Board of Commissioners. I hope they will take into consideration the legitimate concerns of the affected citizens before they make a decision that will change our community forever.
Cherie Anderson
The community we all love is about to be changed forever. Our landscape will be dotted with 40 monstrous wind turbines. Once they get their foot in the door, I have no doubt that those 40 turbines will soon become 80 and 120 and more. Some people will move, some people’s health will be negatively affected, everyone’s property values will take a nosedive, animals will suffer, and we
will have to look at gigantic metal monsters everywhere we turn. No one will move here or build here. Our electricity rates are going to soar. I have no animosity toward anyone, but there will be bad feelings among some neighbors and friendships of many years will be affected. All for what? For so-called green energy and, according to Forest Hill Energy’s website, 6 jobs per year in maintenance. If wind turbines could produce cost-effective energy that made economic sense, the free market would already be producing such energy and someone would be making a profit from it.
We have all learned new terms in the past couple of years and in recent months such as shadow flicker, dBAs and dBCs. We have heard over and over the concerns of the people who would have to live with these turbines. What has not been mentioned too much is this: Exactly why are we willing to sell out our community to a business who will not even tell us who they are?
I asked at a recent Essex Township meeting, “Who is Forest Hill Energy? Who owns it and where are the headquarters?” This is the answer I got: They are owned by “proprietors” and their headquarters are in Chicago. Why such an evasive answer? Many of us here are proud farmers who can trace our farm ownership back for four or five generations. We would never hesitate to say who “owns” our farm. I will bet that I could go to Chicago and I’m not going to see some big building with Forest Hill Energy on the front. They did not even have a website I could find until last week. I found an address listed for them on S. Forest Hill Rd. When I drove by it, it was someone’s house. There is no Forest
Hill Energy sign. We all know that it is just a small energy company formed for the purpose of getting huge government grants to get the wind farm off the ground.
Who really owns it? Is it GE? Is it a Chinese, Greek, or Swedish company? It could be any of those, and it could be all of those at different times over the years. I don’t like the cloak of secrecy and mystery. In my opinion, a business is up front about who they are and where they are and who calls the shots. We are being asked to make a huge sacrifice for a secretive government-funded company
who might just fold up their tent as soon as the turbines are built and morph into some other company or just fade into the distance. When the huge government subsidies dry up, who is going to tend to the turbines?
The Essex and Dallas Township boards took what action they could and passed an ordinance with stricter regulations on the height, decibel level and allowable distance from residences. We are all grateful for their decision. I pray that Bengal Township will join them.
We the people will have no vote on this issue. The final decision rests with the Clinton County Board of Commissioners. I hope they will take into consideration the legitimate concerns of the affected citizens before they make a decision that will change our community forever.
Cherie Anderson
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
New study - property value decreases near turbines
This was submitted as a letter to the editor for this week's Clinton County News. The study referenced can be found at: NEW Canadian Wind Turbine Property Value Study
Forest Hill Energy’s So-Called “Facts”
Forest Hill Energy stated that NO mitigation would be needed with regards to the 30 hours of shadow
flicker that will be cast in your home, however in their application to the county, they stated, "mitigation could include strategically placed tree plantings, window coverings, or window awnings."
In addition, the Shadow Flicker study was conducted by Forest Hill Energy and not an independent, unbiased third party.
With regards to Property Values, I located a recent unbiased study which was conducted in 2012 in
Canada by Ben Lansink, AACI, P.App, MRICS of Lansink Appraisals and Consulting which states, “Market evidence suggests that ‘dwelling properties’ will be harmed or injured by the construction, use, and maintenance of wind turbines situated in the vicinity. Real or perceived nuisances resulting from wind turbines produces buyer resistance that results in price diminution.” This study concluded that on average, home values decreased 35.69%. Visit clintoncountywindwatch.blogspot.com for the full report.
This project has been promoted at 64 MW however, per Forest Hill Energy, the turbines run at
approximately 30% of capacity due to wind availability, so in reality this is a 19 MW project, which is significantly LESS than Forest Hill Energy has been claiming.
Lori Pung
Forest Hill Energy’s So-Called “Facts”
Forest Hill Energy stated that NO mitigation would be needed with regards to the 30 hours of shadow
flicker that will be cast in your home, however in their application to the county, they stated, "mitigation could include strategically placed tree plantings, window coverings, or window awnings."
In addition, the Shadow Flicker study was conducted by Forest Hill Energy and not an independent, unbiased third party.
With regards to Property Values, I located a recent unbiased study which was conducted in 2012 in
Canada by Ben Lansink, AACI, P.App, MRICS of Lansink Appraisals and Consulting which states, “Market evidence suggests that ‘dwelling properties’ will be harmed or injured by the construction, use, and maintenance of wind turbines situated in the vicinity. Real or perceived nuisances resulting from wind turbines produces buyer resistance that results in price diminution.” This study concluded that on average, home values decreased 35.69%. Visit clintoncountywindwatch.blogspot.com for the full report.
This project has been promoted at 64 MW however, per Forest Hill Energy, the turbines run at
approximately 30% of capacity due to wind availability, so in reality this is a 19 MW project, which is significantly LESS than Forest Hill Energy has been claiming.
Lori Pung
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Wind farm noise does harm sleep and health, say scientists
From The Telegraph on Nov 3: Wind farm noise does harm sleep and health, say scientists
"Wind farm noise causes “clear and significant” damage to people’s sleep and mental health, according to the first full peer-reviewed scientific study of the problem.
American and British researchers compared two groups of residents in the US state of Maine. One group lived within a mile of a wind farm and the second group did not.
Both sets of people were demographically and socially similar, but the researchers found major differences in the quality of sleep the two groups enjoyed.
The findings provide the clearest evidence yet to support long-standing complaints from people living near turbines that the sound from their rotating blades disrupts sleep patterns and causes stress-related conditions."
Read the entire article here: Wind farm noise does harm sleep and health, say scientists
"Wind farm noise causes “clear and significant” damage to people’s sleep and mental health, according to the first full peer-reviewed scientific study of the problem.
American and British researchers compared two groups of residents in the US state of Maine. One group lived within a mile of a wind farm and the second group did not.
Both sets of people were demographically and socially similar, but the researchers found major differences in the quality of sleep the two groups enjoyed.
The findings provide the clearest evidence yet to support long-standing complaints from people living near turbines that the sound from their rotating blades disrupts sleep patterns and causes stress-related conditions."
Read the entire article here: Wind farm noise does harm sleep and health, say scientists
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Other counties with turbines in legal dispute
The Huron County papers have been reporting on the legal disputes about turbines in five counties.
Here's an excerpt from the Huron Daily Tribune's article County hopes for compromise on turbine taxes:
"The dispute’s roots go back to the fall of 2011 when the state tax commission lowered the taxable value of wind turbines. Wind turbines went from a 100 percent assessment in year one, with a scheduled depreciation to 30 percent value in 15 years, to an 80 percent initial assessment, with a depreciation to 30 percent value in six years.
However, local assessors and boards of review can go by the old depreciation schedule if they feel it more accurately describes the true cash value of turbines.
When that happened in Gratiot County’s Wheeler Township, DTE decided to file an appeal with the Michigan Tax Tribunal.
Huron officials, along with officials from other turbine-heavy counties, such as Sanilac, Mason and Tuscola, saw the potential for the same thing to happen to them. They decided to form the collaborative with Gratiot County, in an effort to support their cause and share legal costs."
You can read more from the Huron County View:
County frustrated by wind issues
County hears more about turbine tax issues
Here's an excerpt from the Huron Daily Tribune's article County hopes for compromise on turbine taxes:
"The dispute’s roots go back to the fall of 2011 when the state tax commission lowered the taxable value of wind turbines. Wind turbines went from a 100 percent assessment in year one, with a scheduled depreciation to 30 percent value in 15 years, to an 80 percent initial assessment, with a depreciation to 30 percent value in six years.
However, local assessors and boards of review can go by the old depreciation schedule if they feel it more accurately describes the true cash value of turbines.
When that happened in Gratiot County’s Wheeler Township, DTE decided to file an appeal with the Michigan Tax Tribunal.
Huron officials, along with officials from other turbine-heavy counties, such as Sanilac, Mason and Tuscola, saw the potential for the same thing to happen to them. They decided to form the collaborative with Gratiot County, in an effort to support their cause and share legal costs."
You can read more from the Huron County View:
County frustrated by wind issues
County hears more about turbine tax issues
Reject the wind turbine application
This letter to the editor was printed in the Clinton County News this week. Share your letter by sending it to Tom Thelen - tthelen@lsj.com. It's limited to 200 words. You must include your name, address, and phone number.
In Clinton County, the application to install 40 industrial wind turbines, although legal, should be rejected because of the justifiable concerns and fears of hundreds of nearby residents. The county boards seem hesitant to implement restrictions which better protect citizens' health and property and animals' lives, but their hesitancy may come from biased information.
First, the promise of several million dollars and thousands of jobs coming to our state is misleading. Other counties in Michigan with operating wind turbines, such as Gratiot, Huron, Sanilac and Tuscola are in litigation in an attempt to collect their promised dollars.
Secondly, in one study, “Green Jobs” were calculated as job years. In other words, one person working one job for 30 years is counted as 30 jobs!
Thirdly, other sources of energy must stay online as backup, so windmills are not "green."
These turbines may affect dairy cattle and are killing eagles, migratory birds, and bats. They are making people physically sick and reducing property values.
New technologies like thorium-powered nuclear and discoveries of methane gas hydrates, found off every continental shelf in the world, are the future of energy.
Dr. Robert and Penny Malesky
St Johns
In Clinton County, the application to install 40 industrial wind turbines, although legal, should be rejected because of the justifiable concerns and fears of hundreds of nearby residents. The county boards seem hesitant to implement restrictions which better protect citizens' health and property and animals' lives, but their hesitancy may come from biased information.
First, the promise of several million dollars and thousands of jobs coming to our state is misleading. Other counties in Michigan with operating wind turbines, such as Gratiot, Huron, Sanilac and Tuscola are in litigation in an attempt to collect their promised dollars.
Secondly, in one study, “Green Jobs” were calculated as job years. In other words, one person working one job for 30 years is counted as 30 jobs!
Thirdly, other sources of energy must stay online as backup, so windmills are not "green."
These turbines may affect dairy cattle and are killing eagles, migratory birds, and bats. They are making people physically sick and reducing property values.
New technologies like thorium-powered nuclear and discoveries of methane gas hydrates, found off every continental shelf in the world, are the future of energy.
Dr. Robert and Penny Malesky
St Johns
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Map of wind turbine sites
This map of the wind turbine sites in Forest Hill Energy's application shows exactly where the turbines will be located in our neighborhood.
Just click this link: Map of Wind Turbine Sites
Just click this link: Map of Wind Turbine Sites
Come and speak at the Nov 14 meeting
This is an open letter to residents of Bengal Township. Please share it with your neighbors.
Dear Bengal Township Residents:
The Proposed Wind Ordinance will be discussed at the Bengal Township Meeting on Wednesday, November 14, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.
It's CRITICAL that we have a lot of residents at this meeting and it's even MORE CRITICAL that everyone stand up and say something. It can be as detailed as you wish - or as simple as stating that you want the Bengal Township Board to adopt the Proposed Wind Ordinance like Dallas and Essex Townships did. It's that simple. We cannot have the same 10 people getting up month after month. They are sick of seeing us and need to see that there are many more residents concerned about this issue than just us. This meeting is CRUCIAL in getting the Board to pass the ordinance.
The next County Planning & Zoning meeting is set for December and they could approve Forest Hill Energy's application. Please plan on attending this meeting and standing up and demanding that this ordinance be adopted.
If you absolutely cannot attend the meeting on November 14th, but still want your voice to be heard, there is a page that you can sign stating that you are in favor of Bengal Township Adopting a Wind Energy Conversion System Ordinance. Let me know if you are interested in signing this and someone will stop by your home and get your signature.
Remember, it's BEST if you can go to the meeting in person and speak, but if you can't, it's fine . . . just be sure to sign the sheet indicating that you are in favor of our township adopting its own ordinance.
Feel free to send this e-mail on to Bengal Township Residents who want to protect their health, homes and property values.
Thanks,
Lori Pung
pungpitcrew@casair.net
Dear Bengal Township Residents:
The Proposed Wind Ordinance will be discussed at the Bengal Township Meeting on Wednesday, November 14, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.
It's CRITICAL that we have a lot of residents at this meeting and it's even MORE CRITICAL that everyone stand up and say something. It can be as detailed as you wish - or as simple as stating that you want the Bengal Township Board to adopt the Proposed Wind Ordinance like Dallas and Essex Townships did. It's that simple. We cannot have the same 10 people getting up month after month. They are sick of seeing us and need to see that there are many more residents concerned about this issue than just us. This meeting is CRUCIAL in getting the Board to pass the ordinance.
The next County Planning & Zoning meeting is set for December and they could approve Forest Hill Energy's application. Please plan on attending this meeting and standing up and demanding that this ordinance be adopted.
If you absolutely cannot attend the meeting on November 14th, but still want your voice to be heard, there is a page that you can sign stating that you are in favor of Bengal Township Adopting a Wind Energy Conversion System Ordinance. Let me know if you are interested in signing this and someone will stop by your home and get your signature.
Remember, it's BEST if you can go to the meeting in person and speak, but if you can't, it's fine . . . just be sure to sign the sheet indicating that you are in favor of our township adopting its own ordinance.
Feel free to send this e-mail on to Bengal Township Residents who want to protect their health, homes and property values.
Thanks,
Lori Pung
pungpitcrew@casair.net
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