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Public Eye: Wind dies down in Howard County

Kokomo Tribune|Martin Slagter |August 24, 2014
IndianaGeneral

“With the moratorium in place we can now come forward together, citizens and governing bodies, to amend the Howard County wind ordinance and begin the process of healing relationships and reaching out to those feeling shortchanged by the actions taken in the cancellation of this industrial wind turbine project.”


The wind has died and the dust has settled in Howard County.

Difficult market conditions and six years’ worth of grassroots efforts by citizens arguing the potential ill effects of wind energy ended Phases II and III of the Wildcat Wind Farm in Howard and Grant counties. It was made official at a special meeting of the Howard County Commissioners last week.

As part of the termination of the agreement, the commissioners also passed a resolution asking the Howard County Plan Commission to amend the county’s wind ordinance to reflect more restrictive standards, and require any future wind energy facilities have a special use permit.

The termination of the contract with E.ON was a victory for many residents on the east side of Howard …

... more [truncated due to possible copyright]

The wind has died and the dust has settled in Howard County.

Difficult market conditions and six years’ worth of grassroots efforts by citizens arguing the potential ill effects of wind energy ended Phases II and III of the Wildcat Wind Farm in Howard and Grant counties. It was made official at a special meeting of the Howard County Commissioners last week.

As part of the termination of the agreement, the commissioners also passed a resolution asking the Howard County Plan Commission to amend the county’s wind ordinance to reflect more restrictive standards, and require any future wind energy facilities have a special use permit.

The termination of the contract with E.ON was a victory for many residents on the east side of Howard County and a demonstration that voices of the public really can be heard if they are organized and educated when approaching government officials.

Following the commissioners’ announcement that the contract with E.ON was being terminated, many residents thanked community advocate Grace Aprill and the many others who faithfully attended commissioner and council meetings over the past few years to express their concerns regarding the project’s potential impact on property values and health.

To the commissioners’ credit, they listened, allowing them to come up with an agreement that both they and E.ON could live with.

Aprill, who has constantly been on top of every move the county has made throughout the process, knew the meeting would have one of two outcomes: Either E.ON would be asking for an extension on the project or the economic development agreement would be terminated.

Now, Aprill and the advocates against the wind farm are ready to move forward and mend any of the ill will that developed since the original agreement was signed in 2008.

“With the moratorium in place we can now come forward together, citizens and governing bodies, to amend the Howard County wind ordinance and begin the process of healing relationships and reaching out to those feeling shortchanged by the actions taken in the cancellation of this industrial wind turbine project,” she said.


Source:http://www.kokomotribune.com/…

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