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Would you want to live near a wind farm?

I have spent a lot of time lately following scoping and sighting hearings in several states. There are a lot of pros and cons to be considered in these hearings and I have been startled at the reasons people have come up with to oppose the jobs and other benefits that come with an operating, taxpaying wind farm.

So I thought I would ask the question-Would you want to live near a windfarm? And list your concerns why or why not.

Check out this article on the subject.
http://www.hcn.org/wotr/would-you-want-to-live-near-a-wind-far

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Permalink Reply by neil cox on March 13, 2009 at 9:45pm
Not unless they offered me $10,000 per year as an inducement. I understand this is typical compensation. I think I could put up with the slight flicker of light level, the thumps, the very low probability of being struck by propeller fragments, etc for $10,000 per year. An interstate close by, or terrorists checking to be sure I bowed toward Mecca 5 times per day would be worse and likely would result in a large financial loss instead of $10,000.
What do you suggest as an alternative energy source that can be implemented quickly? Neil
Permalink Reply by Steve Willmorth on March 13, 2009 at 10:05pm
Neil,
I was aware of royalties paid to land owners for siting on their land, but I wasn't aware of "inducements" paid to people living near a wind farm. Would you get more if you were in sight of more than one turbine?
Permalink Reply by neil cox on March 14, 2009 at 11:55am
I think it is like the new interstate, new strip mine, or new airport. You get little or no inducement unless it is sited on land you own, so yes, I understand why some people feel cheated. Even the reduced electricity cost is rare for the neighbors of the person receiving the $10,000. Neil
Permalink Reply by Tom Bailey on March 14, 2009 at 11:01am
This came to my page some time ago;

In Germany ;During the 1990's many wind farm were built in close proximity to local towns and villages. At first, the local people were none too happy about this development, because in their eyes, the windmills were unsightly and ruined the landscape where they were living.
When the people realized the benefits of the wind farms, such as cheaper electricity and less dependece on foreign gas and oil, they accepted the windmills as a necessary part of their lives.
Local farmers were able to cut their operating costs substantiall, and any exess electricity that was produced was simply put back into the national grid which benefited the entire German population.
Permalink Reply by SJC on March 14, 2009 at 3:25pm
It seems like more compensation than inducement. You should be compensated for the reduction in your property value. Whether it be wind turbines or jet aircraft, the noise and danger will lower your property values and people should be compensated for that loss. This is an externalized cost that should be accounted for.
Permalink Reply by Steve Willmorth on March 14, 2009 at 4:03pm
There have been studies made regarding property value reduction both here and abroad. I have linked several in Europe and Australia. 1 out of 4 shows a decrease in property values, but most show either no change or rising values.

There are very few studies that come up in the US. I can't find any that use hard, non-anecdotal, objective comps that show a decrease in values. Does anybody have a link to a study in the US that shows otherwise?
Permalink Reply by Ray Phillips on March 14, 2009 at 8:51pm
I have lived near airports, train tracks, rivers, interstates, barking dogs and noisy neighbors and have found that the latter two bothered me the most. Usually, the noise became mere background noise that I noticed less and less as time went by (and truthfully, the sound of a tugboat whistle late at night was kind of soothing to me.)

I cannot think of any reason I wouldn't want to live near a wind farm, but I would ask if there is anyone here that has actual experience with these conditions?
Permalink Reply by Steve Willmorth on March 20, 2009 at 6:31pm
Bird kills?
Attachments:
Permalink Reply by RWC1972 on March 20, 2009 at 10:57pm
Do a little research Steve. The whole bird kills thing has to do with an old windfarm built back in the 80s when no one looked at that.

This topic has been covered many times on this form so I don't feel the need to repeat it.
Permalink Reply by Steve Willmorth on March 20, 2009 at 11:37pm
I just found it tonite. It is from China. That Turbine is operating, and those curlews seem pretty cool with that, don't you think?

I have written tons of rebuttal about Altamont, the windfarm that was sited in CA next to a raptor nesting area. I just thought that the photo provided comedic relief on the subject.

By the way, the article from China had a lot about bird kills resulting from
(drumroll please)

High Speed Trains!
Permalink Reply by Charles W. McDonald on March 24, 2009 at 8:44am
Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility
A renewable source of energy and economic growth


The Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility, located in Central Washington, is Puget Sound Energy's second wind-powered electric generation facility. It is also the utility's largest wind farm with 127 turbines. Wholly owned by PSE, Wild Horse produces enough electricity, on average, to serve approximately 60,000 households. Construction began in October 2005, and was completed in December 2006.



New jobs for local residents and approximately $8 million have been added to the local community as a result of this facility. Wild Horse is adding more than $2 million in tax revenue annually to the community and provides leasing income to two state land-owning agencies.

More information:
Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility


Ya why not?

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