www.windaction.org facts, analysis, exposure of wind energy's real impacts Windaction http://www.windaction.org/articles/c108+46?theme=atom Xarayar 2006-06-12T02:16:27Z Commission: Deny wind power project - Horizon Wind Energy project now goes to county commissioners for review of recommendation .1446 2006-02-01T02:46:00Z 2006-02-01T02:46:00Z The Kittitas County Planning Commission on Monday voted 5-0 to recommend denial of the Kittitas Valley Wind Power Project proposed for 12 miles northwest of Ellensburg. Wind farm opponents speak out .1275 2006-01-12T18:28:04Z 2006-01-12T18:28:04Z Opponents of the Kittitas Valley Wind Power Project dominated Wednesday’s second hearing on the wind farm proposed for 12 miles northwest of Ellensburg. They said the damage to scenic views from the wind turbines can’t be lessened and will reduce property values. Wind farm makes its case for approval - Some dispute land values study .1243 2006-01-11T13:14:47Z 2006-01-11T13:14:47Z Roger Weaver, owner of three RE/MAX Community Realty offices in Kittitas County, said he testified and challenged the consultant’s study. He said there was “no way a wind farm won’t have a significant impact on residential development in the Kittitas Valley.” Testimony of David Taylor Before the State of Washington Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council .306 2004-01-01T05:00:00Z 2004-01-01T05:00:00Z Q. In your experience, do adjacent land uses affect property values? A. Yes. It's been my experience property values are directly affected by neighboring land uses. For example, property uses that create noise, light, glare, and other such nuisances often negatively affect property values. Economic Impacts of Wind Power in Kittitas County .194 2003-01-30T17:40:09Z 2003-01-30T17:40:09Z Study Objectives Primary Analysis Questions: 1) Determine effect of wind turbines on residential property values 2) Determine economic impacts to local economy 3) Estimate new tax revenues for Kittitas County from proposed wind farm. This study along with the REPP study are the two most often cited by wind developers to support their claim that industrial windplants do not adversely affect property values. Local Reaction to the ECO-Northwest β€œEconomic” Study Of Wind Farms .549 2003-01-01T05:00:00Z 2003-01-01T05:00:00Z ECO-Northwest’s 1-month, $15,000 study, sponsored by the local business lobby organization, the Phoenix Group, has been met with deep skepticism in the Kittitas Valley. Regardless of how people feel about wind farms in this valley, most people recognize this report as simply a blatant endorsement of proposed local wind energy projects, bought and paid for by those behind these projects. A local newspaper story about ECO Northwest’s report titled “Are Wind Farm Benefits Full of Hot Air?” (The Yakima Herald-Republic, 10/2102) reflects this public skepticism about the impartiality of this study. The report makes the incredible claim that property values will not be affected and the unsubstantiated claim that the county will receive millions of dollars in increased revenue. Although the wind energy companies state that they will hire only 22 people, the report manages to inflate this to 53 jobs and claims that these people will somehow result in an additional $4.2m being spent within the county. ECO Northwest’s report also neglects to consider the effect of major wind farms on tourism, one of the most important factors in the local economy. It does not consider alternative locations for such projects, or alternative forms of renewable energy in Kittitas County, or whether the county will benefit from the power generated. Nor does it consider that the proposed location for these wind farms is an area that the city of Ellensburg will need for future expansion of its population, an area that will be closed off for housing if wind farms are built there.