Area citizens ask for turbine moratorium

A group of Mineral and Grant county residents who own property in the vicinity of the Nancy Hanks Memorial have asked the Mineral County Commission to petition Gov. Joe Manchin for a moratorium on the construction of any additional wind turbines in the state.

Harriett Hartman, Bill and Leigh Burt, Joe McKenney, Frank Roleff and Greg Trainor all appealed to the commissioners Tuesday to do what they can to stop the construction of a wind farm along New Creek Mountain and the tip of the Saddle.

Hartman, who is a member of the Friends of the Nancy Hanks Memorial and Cabin, an organization formed to care for the replica cabin and memorial constructed in memory of Abraham Lincoln's mother, said the turbines would "run right through the Nancy Hanks farm" and create an eyesore on the historic and picturesque mountain.

"The Nancy Hanks Memorial is less than a mile from the top of the hill where the turbines are proposed," she said.

"Saddle Mountain has been a part of our heritage forever and we don't believe it is appropriate to put these turbines there."

Presenting the commissioners with a drawing depicting the turbines towering over typically-sized trees, utility poles and even a transmission tower, Hartman said, "They're over 400 feet fall; that's 40 stories.

"I don't know what the tallest building in Keyser is, but I know it's nowhere near that tall."

Roleff said he believes the proposed wind farm is just the start of an increasing encroachment on the unspoiled ridges of Mineral County.

"I can foresee in the not-so-distant future (that) they're going to get closer and closer ... and will eventually be on both sides of the valley," he said.

Commissioner Wayne Spiggle, who believes the public should have the right to decide "where and when wind turbine development should occur," said he understood that it would be a difficult choice for some between "a clear view" and a more economically friendly form of energy.

"I believe the public should have the right to decide for themselves whether or not the ‘win' of being a part of the ‘green revolution' and having a few tax dollars come into the county is worth the loss of a clear view," he said.

Although the commissioners admitted that they presently have no authority to stop the construction of wind turbines because Mineral County has no zoning or land use laws, Commission President Janice LaRue did say that she had spoken with the group proposing the turbines on the Saddle and informed them that the people of the county were against it.

As a result of that conversation, LaRue told the group she does not believe the five turbines which would have been in Mineral County will now be built.
The remainder of the turbines, however, would be in Grant County and LaRue said "that is a different story."

Spiggle asked the group if they would support a form of zoning if it would help prevent projects such as wind farms, and the property owners expressed interest.

"I think it's a need," Trainor said. "This is industrial development in forest land. It's not right."

Admitting that he had initially been against the idea of zoning, Roleff told the commissioners he has since changed his mind.

"I would say we should adopt the laws or whatever we have to do," he said.
Noting the potential to build a decent tourist trade around the Nancy Hanks Memorial and Saddle Mountain, Roleff said "I think we'll shoot ourselves in the foot if we don't stop these turbines."

It was at that point that Hartman asked the commissioners to request a moratorium on turbine construction "until the counties get a chance to catch up" with their land use plans.

Both Spiggle and LaRue suggested Hartman get a group of similarly-minded persons together and meet again with the commission to discuss the possibility.

"You need to try to have a public meeting ... and make people aware of your concerns," LaRue told her.

"In the meantime I will follow up and make sure those five turbines won't be in Mineral County."