Are windmills an asset for Somerset County?
The Daily American|Kayla Pongrac|December 11, 2007
Our area, in particular, does not seem to possess an accurate spot for windmills. Somerset County seems to be a target area for the windmill companies, which is fine, but no one seems to consider all parties involved. In my opinion, money has blinded many eyes and covered many ears. Is everyone taking into consideration the wildlife and trees that are abandoned and lost? What about the constant noises that can affect the nearby homeowners and their families? Somerset is a rural area. Many people retreat to our town to get away from life in the city and the sight of windmills seems to disturb the country scene that everyone has grown to know and love. ...I’m not anti-energy, but if proper locations are not located in Somerset, then windmills should be situated somewhere else, preferably a place where they seem more fitting and they will have less of an impact on people and nature.
Our area, in particular, does not seem to possess an accurate spot for windmills. Somerset County seems to be a target area for the windmill companies, which is fine, but no one seems to consider all parties involved. In my opinion, money has blinded many eyes and covered many ears. Is everyone taking into consideration the wildlife and trees that are abandoned and lost? What about the constant noises that can affect the nearby homeowners and their families? Somerset is a rural area. Many people retreat to our town to get away from life in the city and the sight of windmills seems to disturb the country scene that everyone has grown to know and love. ...I’m not anti-energy, but if proper locations are not located in Somerset, then windmills should be situated somewhere else, preferably a place where they seem more fitting and they will have less of an impact on people and nature.
Less than one mile from my house, tall, white structures are ready to begin spinning. The construction of more than a dozen windmills right in my backyard often times persuades me to criticize them. After attending the Shaffer Mountain forum a few months ago, I learned the positives and negatives regarding wind energy, and have come to the conclusion that windmills can be useful, depending on the location in which they are placed.
Our area, in particular, does not seem to possess an accurate spot for windmills. Somerset County seems to be a target area for the windmill companies, which is fine, but no one seems to consider all parties involved. In my opinion, money has blinded many eyes and covered many ears.
Is everyone taking into …
Less than one mile from my house, tall, white structures are ready to begin spinning. The construction of more than a dozen windmills right in my backyard often times persuades me to criticize them. After attending the Shaffer Mountain forum a few months ago, I learned the positives and negatives regarding wind energy, and have come to the conclusion that windmills can be useful, depending on the location in which they are placed.
Our area, in particular, does not seem to possess an accurate spot for windmills. Somerset County seems to be a target area for the windmill companies, which is fine, but no one seems to consider all parties involved. In my opinion, money has blinded many eyes and covered many ears.
Is everyone taking into consideration the wildlife and trees that are abandoned and lost? What about the constant noises that can affect the nearby homeowners and their families? Somerset is a rural area. Many people retreat to our town to get away from life in the city and the sight of windmills seems to disturb the country scene that everyone has grown to know and love.
I have realized that for as much as we may not like windmills, we might as well get used to them. Once they are put up, they aren’t going to be taken down just to appease those who are not in favor of this form of energy. The ones near my house will probably remain there for future decades, whether my family and our neighbors like it or not. I have already grown accustomed to their obvious presence.
As far as Somerset County is concerned, I believe that we can do without more windmills appearing in every corner. I’m not anti-energy, but if proper locations are not located in Somerset, then windmills should be situated somewhere else, preferably a place where they seem more fitting and they will have less of an impact on people and nature.
Editor's note: several letters on wind power can be read at the link.