Proposed wind farm south of Seligman causes community uproar

A proposed wind farm in northern Arizona is sparking backlash in the small community of Seligman.

SELIGMAN (AZFamily) — A proposed wind farm in Northern Arizona is sparking backlash in the small community of Seligman. Dozens of wind turbines would be built south of town and less than two miles from where many locals live.

People in the community said it could destroy their quiet way of life. Brian Galyon moved to the rural area south of Seligman for peace, quiet, and this view.

“It’s so peaceful out here,” Galyon said. “I get in my hot tub, the night sky, it’s amazing.”

However, a few weeks ago, the community got word of a proposed wind farm that would build 76 wind turbines 12 miles south of town, and just a mile and a half from Galyon‘s front porch.

“We don’t want to have our night sky right here ruined with 660ft tall towers that are blinking all night long, and then also too the noise on top of it.”

The project is called Camino Madre Renewable Power, and according to Triple Oak Power, the company in charge of the project, it would create enough wind, solar, and battery storage to power hundreds of thousands of homes.

However, there is no guarantee the power will stay in Arizona. VP of development Ben Turner said it’s because the company does not yet have a contract with a power company. That determines where exactly the power will go.

He said they are working closely with the property owner, the Forest Service, and the community to make sure the land is protected. He adds there will be a financial benefit to the community.

“That full capacity that we talked about might be paying over $80 million in property taxes over the life of the project that are not being collected now,” Turner said. “Those dollars will go to help this school; they’ll go to help all sorts of things.”

Galyon said the local costs are too high. He said there are threats to wildlife like eagles, the proposed site sits on an aquifer, and the local housing market is already feeling the sting.

“As soon as the buyer found out that there was a possibility of a wind farm going up there boop, they’re out,” he said. “And that real estate agent said three other deals have fallen through. They canceled as well. So it’s really just discouraging. I put all my build projects on hold. I was going to build a house, and now I’m going to wait to see what happens. Because if that goes up, I’m out of here.”

Thursday, the energy company held an open house to educate the public on the project.

About 300 people showed up in protest. Many said it would disrupt their entire way of life out here, including 9-year-old Blake, who lives near the proposed site.

“I love this land,” Blake said. “I grew up on this dirt. I drink the water from this ground. I chase cows, climb fences, and sometimes fall off things. That’s ranch life. What I don’t want is these giant metal towers moving and messing up everything.”

Paul Crawford also lives near the proposed site. He said many worked their entire lives to retire and then build their homes here.

“It’s like a punch in the gut,” Crawford said. “Everybody out here has blood, sweat, and tears in their property. I’m starting to get choked up. And to have that threatened to be taken away it’s unacceptable.”

The community has rallied together in recent weeks. They created a petition to stop the wind farm.

The project still needs to be approved by Yavapai County supervisors. Crawford added they are sending letters to county supervisors urging them to stop it.

“Hopefully, when they read those, they will understand our perspective and how this just is incomparable for this area,” he said. “Like Brian said, there’s plenty of places where this won’t have this impact on people or wildlife. Why put it here? It doesn’t belong.”