“Catastrophic failures do happen,” said Block, a local businessman who supported the recent petition drive for a referendum on Marion Township’s expanded windmill district. “The two recent events in Huron County prove the need and importance of proper setbacks.”
“Catastrophic failures do happen,” said Block, a local businessman who supported the recent petition drive for a referendum on Marion Township’s expanded windmill district. “The two recent events in Huron County prove the need and importance of proper setbacks.”
Commissioners say it’s a local issue
When a wind turbine in Oliver Township, Huron County tumbled to the ground two weeks ago, the reverberations could be felt clear to Sandusky.
The Feb. 25 incident underscored the concerns of Marion Township resident Jon Block, as he pleaded with the Sanilac County Board of Commissioners last week for its help in protecting people living in the shadows of 499- foot tall windmills.
“Catastrophic failures do happen,” said Block, a local businessman who supported the recent petition drive for a referendum on Marion Township’s expanded windmill district.
“The two recent events in Huron County prove the need and importance of proper setbacks.”
The other incident Block cited occurred just six days before …
... more [truncated due to possible copyright]Commissioners say it’s a local issue
When a wind turbine in Oliver Township, Huron County tumbled to the ground two weeks ago, the reverberations could be felt clear to Sandusky.
The Feb. 25 incident underscored the concerns of Marion Township resident Jon Block, as he pleaded with the Sanilac County Board of Commissioners last week for its help in protecting people living in the shadows of 499- foot tall windmills.
“Catastrophic failures do happen,” said Block, a local businessman who supported the recent petition drive for a referendum on Marion Township’s expanded windmill district.
“The two recent events in Huron County prove the need and importance of proper setbacks.”
The other incident Block cited occurred just six days before the Oliver Township failure, when a blade broke off of a wind turbine and hit the ground near Harbor Beach in Huron County.
“I appeal to you, my elected county leadership to help your constituents and take a stand against corporate interests pushing us around,” said Block.
“The Marion Township wind ordinance is the most permissive in the state. It allows a 499-foot wind turbine to be placed just 616 feet from a non-participating land owner’s home. This, while the turbine manufacturer’s safety manual says their own trained crews need to stay 1,640 feet back from a turbine that is malfunctioning,” stated Block.
“This certainly should not be allowed to happen,” continued Block. “However, at every turn we are faced with another obstacle from the company and a (township) board whose only argument against any safety issues is the money they will receive. My children’s safety is not for sale.”
Minden City area resident Zach Kramer also addressed commissioners.
Kramer related the situation near his home, in what he described as “the first windmill development in the county.”
Kramer told commissioners, “12 of 40 of the wind turbines are within 750 feet of neighboring homes, with eight less than 600 feet away. With 40 more of these things proposed for Marion Township, we ought to be concerned, especially when three of five Marion board members hold contracts with the company.”
Commissioner Dan Dean, whose district includes Marion Township, said he was certain he and his fellow commissioners understood their concerns.
However, Dean said the division of jurisdic- tion is structured in such a way that the county board “needs to defer to the statutory authority of the local units of government involved to make such decisions.”
Commissioner John Hoffmann then added this terse assessment: “It’s all about money.”