Murrieta says wind turbine is too shiny
Press-Enterprise|Jeff Horseman|January 30, 2009
Diana Hofman thought her frustrations with Murrieta city government would be whooshed away by her backyard wind turbine. Instead, the wind energy pioneer said she's fuming over the city's determination that the 40-foot-tall windmill is too bright. Hofman said the city told her they won't make a final inspection of the galvanized steel windmill until it loses its luster.
Diana Hofman thought her frustrations with Murrieta city government would be whooshed away by her backyard wind turbine. Instead, the wind energy pioneer said she's fuming over the city's determination that the 40-foot-tall windmill is too bright. Hofman said the city told her they won't make a final inspection of the galvanized steel windmill until it loses its luster.
Diana Hofman thought her frustrations with Murrieta city government would be whooshed away by her backyard wind turbine.
Instead, the wind energy pioneer said she's fuming over the city's determination that the 40-foot-tall windmill is too bright. Hofman said the city told her they won't make a final inspection of the galvanized steel windmill until it loses its luster.
"I might just be one person. But I'm going to scream as loud as I can," she said, adding she refuses to paint her windmill.
Murrieta Planning Director Mary Lanier said Friday afternoon city officials are reviewing Hofman's case and the windmill ordinance and plans on getting back to her Monday.
While Lanier said she's sorry to hear Hofman's frustrated, she said …
... more [truncated due to possible copyright]Diana Hofman thought her frustrations with Murrieta city government would be whooshed away by her backyard wind turbine.
Instead, the wind energy pioneer said she's fuming over the city's determination that the 40-foot-tall windmill is too bright. Hofman said the city told her they won't make a final inspection of the galvanized steel windmill until it loses its luster.
"I might just be one person. But I'm going to scream as loud as I can," she said, adding she refuses to paint her windmill.
Murrieta Planning Director Mary Lanier said Friday afternoon city officials are reviewing Hofman's case and the windmill ordinance and plans on getting back to her Monday.
While Lanier said she's sorry to hear Hofman's frustrated, she said the city has been "very accommodating" in support of green energy.
For Hofman, the city's request that she paint her windmill or use acid etching to dull its shine is the latest insult in what she described as two-year process to go green and lower her energy costs. She figures the windmill will reduce her electric bill by 80 percent.
Murrieta officials initially denied her windmill plans because the city lacked laws regulating turbines. Hofman responded by delivering state guidelines for wind turbines to City Hall, and eventually the city crafted turbine rules allowing Hofman's windmill to go forward.
Hofman was finally able to install her windmill a few weeks ago. But before a final inspection could be made -- she needs it to get a state rebate -- Hofman said the Murrieta planning department brought up the brightness issue.
Hofman said the windmill is made of the same material used in the city's traffic light poles. Weather should fade the windmill's luster over time, she said.
She said her question to the city is: "Why are you singling me out for an issue when it's not an issue for anyone else in town?"