Plans to build the state's largest wind farm in southern Brown County is dividing several rural communities. It's even causing turmoil within families. For almost a year now, Roland Klug has lobbied his neighbors to join him in signing contracts with a Chicago company to build 400-foot wind turbines on their land in Morrison. As Roland sees it, it's a sign of the times.
Plans to build the state's largest wind farm in southern Brown County is dividing several rural communities. It's even causing turmoil within families. For almost a year now, Roland Klug has lobbied his neighbors to join him in signing contracts with a Chicago company to build 400-foot wind turbines on their land in Morrison. As Roland sees it, it's a sign of the times.
Plans to build the state's largest wind farm in southern Brown County is dividing several rural communities. It's even causing turmoil within families.
For almost a year now, Roland Klug has lobbied his neighbors to join him in signing contracts with a Chicago company to build 400-foot wind turbines on their land in Morrison. As Roland sees it, it's a sign of the times.
"Some people hate them. I love them. I think it's progressive. It's a country moving forward," Roland said.
But just a mile away is another sign with a very different message put up by Roland's son, Dave.
Like many families in this farming country, the Klugs are at odds with each other.
"It is very, very trying I will say right now," Dave said.
As Dave sees …
... more [truncated due to possible copyright]Plans to build the state's largest wind farm in southern Brown County is dividing several rural communities. It's even causing turmoil within families.
For almost a year now, Roland Klug has lobbied his neighbors to join him in signing contracts with a Chicago company to build 400-foot wind turbines on their land in Morrison. As Roland sees it, it's a sign of the times.
"Some people hate them. I love them. I think it's progressive. It's a country moving forward," Roland said.
But just a mile away is another sign with a very different message put up by Roland's son, Dave.
Like many families in this farming country, the Klugs are at odds with each other.
"It is very, very trying I will say right now," Dave said.
As Dave sees it, the prospect of 100 turbines towering over the landscape is appalling. The fact that four could be as close as 1,000 feet from his home is scary, he says.
He points to research he says he's done on other wind farm developments around the country and the impact on nearby residents.
"Every one we read about are having all kinds of health issues, property values drop, and to me I guess it just doesn't seem like it's a real good investment for our community," Dave said.
But according to Roland, it's an investment that will help him keep his farm. He's signed on for two turbines that will pay him $20,000 a year.
Roland says he "had to sell off 48 acres to make a payment for a couple of years, and we'd have to just keep selling off."
Roland knows he's made some neighbors angry. "My son gets very mad."
Dave said, "My son is 21 and was all set to buy some land right by me which would've been my dream, been great, but right now we had to put it all on hold. You cross your fingers, but he's probably going to end up living somewhere else."
Roland says, "I just know in time it'll all straighten out, it always does."
Dave Klug, though, isn't so sure. Especially if the wind turbines go in.
There is a meeting scheduled for Thursday night called "Living in an Industrial Wind Turbine Project."
It's at Van Abel's in the Town of Holland. Doors open at 6 P.M. and speakers begin at 7.