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)
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
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
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