I oppose the development of a commercial wind farm on Monroe County ridge tops.
     
I supported a wind farm development on the Ridge, choosing to investigate other developers rather than sign an easement contract with Invenergy/Summit Ridge Energy Corp. After extensive research, I have changed my position. A wind farm may be a good idea at Montfort, turbines lined up on flat land in the middle of a field, but a wind farm does not belong on our scenic ridges. We are agricultural, rural residential and recreational. The presence of commercial turbines and accessories will stop residential development, a substantial tax base in the townships. They will change our landscape from scenic rural, a major drawing card for tourism, to cluttered industrial.

Scenic rural ... that’s one reason we live here.

The Ridge area of Monroe County is a geographic and natural treasure. Its wooded hills and deep valleys, country churches, fields of corn, gardens of flowers and vegetables, Amish shops, horse farms, big red barns, working dairy farms, all are part of its beauty. Tourists and visitors are attracted to this area, an economic benefit. The presence of commercial wind towers, taller than the Statue of Liberty, would be a highly visible intrusion. A wind tower could be installed as close as 1,000 feet from a private home.

The ordinance (I was on the study committee) is a guideline for a commercial wind farm development. The ordinance should be placed on hold. Before going any further, Monroe County needs to evaluate the long-range impact a commercial wind farm will have on this area. The county needs to decide on supporting the unlimited potential resources we have now or on an industrial commercial wind farm that will in one way or an other affect all of us for 40 years.