UPC Vermont Wind LLC used wind measurements taken on Burke Mountain, 13 miles away and a thousand feet higher, to claim that its site in Sheffield and Sutton is a good location for wind power. But what is attracting them is the transmission line here and the lack of resistance they expected from some of the poorer towns in the state.

UPC is overstating the projected output of these turbines. This project is not based on need, but on greed. The small amount of power produced would be intermittent and unreliable; will not replace any existing generation; curtail any emissions; lessen our dependence on oil, which is used mainly for transportation and home heating; or have any effect on global warming. In the winter months the hundreds of gallons of oil in each turbine must be heated, and will be drawing power from the grid. At other times the power being produced may not be needed – like filling a glass that is already full.

Large amounts of energy will be required to manufacture and transport the components, build roads, pour massive amounts of concrete and erect the towers and turbines. The construction will destroy wildlife habitat and headwaters will be polluted. Bears that depend on high elevation wetlands and the beech trees that exist on these ridgelines will lose both habitat and a source of food crucial for winter survival and cub production. Many other species will lose habitat and nesting will be disrupted.

The turbine blades extend to 400 feet and encompass an area of over 65,000 square feet. Forty-story, loud alien structures don't fit in Vermont's rural landscape. Flashing lights will ruin enjoyment of the night sky. Light flicker and low frequency noise will destroy the lives of local residents. Loss of tourism and property values will hurt the region's economy. It's inconceivable that Vermont, touting its green mountains, banning billboards and disguising cell towers to look like trees could consider such massive industrialization of our mountains.

All of these reasons present an overwhelming case against wind factories. Serious efforts to conserve, such as energy-efficient light bulbs, on-demand hot water, enforced fuel efficiency standards, subsidized insulating programs, and use of biomass, hydro, methane and solar would accomplish far more.