Regarding the proposed development of a wind farm in Monroe County:
     
I am a farmer in Ridgeville Township who owns 900 acres. I was interested in the development of a wind farm on the ridge, but decided to research the project along with other area landowners. I talked to farmers over the phone in Kewaunee County who have lived with a commercial wind farm the past six years. This is what they told me.

In the Town of Lincoln, where 22 turbines have been placed, I have learned that stray voltage is a major concern, especially for dairy farms. Dairy farmers described major losses on their farms due to stray voltage after wind turbines were erected in the township.

Township residents expressed problems with noise, describing it like tennis shoes pounding in the dryer. Light reflecting off the blades is a major problem, causing a strobe like effect inside area homes and causing drivers on the road to lose their concentration.

Developing a commercial wind farm is more than just about money. Our aesthetic value is worth more even though we are not putting a direct dollar value on it. We are an agribusiness, rural residential and recreational area. The development of a commercial wind farm will detour these values.

Contrary to what we’ve been told, we must not put up wind turbines and let them turn until we are sure of all the consequences.

Now after much research, including attending a wind conference in Madison, I believe wind turbines do not fit on our ridgetops.

For more information, contact me for names and phone numbers of Kewaunee County residents.