Nimby-ism (Notin My Back) is almost understandable when talking about a gas pipeline or an ugly McMansion. But when it comes to environmentally friendly, quiet and- some say- beautiful windmills, an astonishing number of people are saying "no". Melanie Wold asks, "Why? Is it all the dead seagulls?"

Editor's Note: This article appeared in the October 2006 issue of Shattered Magazine. The pdf version is available via the link below.

His distaste for wind-generated energy may have begun as a “not in my back yard” sentiment. But as he learned more about the industry, Rankin said, his attitude hardened. With several of his neighbors, Rankin filed one of the first anti-wind-industry lawsuits in the state, arguing that wind farms are a public nuisance that do little to help the state’s energy needs. “One of the things that really energized us is how quietly, how stealthily and surreptitiously these people worked behind the scenes,” Rankin said. “The lack of regulation, combined with the state renewable-energy mandate, is making Texas a prime spot for these wind companies. But I can tell you, nobody wants to live next to them.”

When the Siddells moved to rural Ayrshire, they hoped for a life of peace and quiet. Now, at night, they say they can’t hear the television properly because of the wind turbines that loom over their converted steading.

Industrial Wind Action Group, a nationally based grass-roots effort, claims companies are exaggerating the amount of megawatts wind farm projects can produce by giving maximum output figures instead of more concise estimates.

It might not be in perfect harmony, but a proposed wind farm and a planned lakeside subdivision hope to coexist together in Livingston County. Plans to ban wind turbines within 1.5 miles of Chatsworth city limits with not stop Chicago-based Invenergy Wind from erecting the Pleasant Ridge Wind Farm nearby, a company representative said Tuesday. Meanwhile, developers of a 900-acre lakeside subdivision in Chatsworth also expect to move forward, despite concerns that the wind farm could make the land a tough sell.

But I was sitting at my kitchen table in North Buffalo, far from the wind farms of the Southern Tier, and such distance makes for simple, black-and-white comprehension. There are places in Western New York where wind energy isn’t so clear a choice. Places with names like Perry, Sheldon and Arkwright, rural towns perched atop the high glacial ridges to the east and south of the city, whose landscapes might soon be dominated by hundreds of towering, 400-foot windmills. As wind companies eye their windswept fields and make overtures to local town boards, divisions run deeper and deeper between citizens who disagree on the merits of wind farm development in their backyards. In such locales, the gray areas of wind development come into sharp focus.

Diana Everett, attorney for the anti-wind farm group Friends of Greenbrier, produced a document which purportedly came from land books at the Tucker County clerks office showing property tax assessments have decreased by 9 percent since 2003.

Eric and Kyle Hosmer of Howard address the Howard Town Board meeting Wednesday night and asked that a letter they read to the board be placed in the official minutes. The request was denied for the time being. As a courtesy, we are printing portions of that letter here.
Editor's Note: The complete letter follows.

RESIDENTS living near a proposed wind farm in Midlothian fear their properties will drop in value as a result of the development.

MONTEREY — Bleachers and basketball nets notwithstanding, Highland’s elementary school gym played host this week to perhaps the most important debate in county history.

A Drefach-felindre Action Group has called on planning chiefs to turn down an application for three new turbines at Blaen Bowi windfarm.

WIND farm chiefs have denied claims that turbines would have an adverse affect on neighbouring house prices. In last week's Courier Laxton resident Robert Tyrall said that the area around the proposed Sixpenny Wood Wind Farm at Balkholme had already seen a property price drop of 30 per cent.

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.

Patricia Muscarello has asked the federal courts to permanently stop the Ogle County Board from allowing power-generating windmills to go up and the power company from building them

"If they go ahead it will cause serious devaluation of properties in the area. I understand that wind energy is probably going to be the thing of the future, but they are just too big for this area. I can't see that anyone in the local area is going to benefit from them apart from the greedy landowners."

“People need to have an appreciation for the value of homes,” said Dodie Stark, an agent for Coldwell Banker Anchor Real Estate, in Oceana County. “For many, real estate is their biggest investment and a means to a secure retirement. Views are very important, especially in a resort area, and a group of 400-foot-tall wind turbines 500 feet from homes or cottages could have a devastating effect on property values.”

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.

Ryszard Borys is an Illinois realtor who owns 200 acres that neighbors the Wallerman dairy operation. The Denmark native said he is very familiar with wind farm technology from that country. He shared Fries’ concern over lost land values and the negative impact for agri-tourism. “You have to make the choice between a wind farm or tourism and recreation,” Borys said.

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.”

Almost every property in their street, apart from those of the farmers on whose land the turbines are being built, is for sale. "I've watched my husband work all his life to build this home," Mrs Cicero said. "We've never had loans, we've always worked and saved. And now we find everything that we've put in here, it's all worth nothing." The Ciceros had their home valued at $410,000 before the wind farm was taken into account. Afterwards, the estimated value dropped to $270,000. They have not received one offer for their property in two years.