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Alfred Community Wind Energy Meetings
Alfred Community Wind Energy Meetings are being held in the Alfred Town Hall monthly in an effort to inform community members and initiate a dialog on the issues of establishing a wind project in the Town of Alfred. Meetings provide a forum for public discussion.
The Alfred Community Wind Energy column will present issues, interests or highlights of the open meetings. It is hopeful that the column will enhance the democratic decision-making process for the village and town of Alfred. Meeting notes are available for the previously held November 16, December 15 and January 21 meetings. Peter McClain has graciously agreed to post information on the village's website. Local papers will notify the community of future gatherings.
Two residents presented information at the January 21 meeting. Bill Cleveland had a powerpoint presentation prepared on environmental effects of a wind farm. Numerous construction photos showed how the landscape will be altered. Actual photos from the Cohocton wind farm were presented. In addition, light pollution from turbine lighting was discussed. Sue Fowler brought forth data and scientific findings regarding health concerns. Health information demonstrated that there are genuine ill effects from wind turbines. Interestingly, those who believe in the ill health effects are more susceptible. Fowler’s investigation of empirical data yielded one and one-half mile residential setbacks for flat land and a two mile residential setback for ridge located wind projects.
Working groups are still being formed for those interested in putting forth information on the many issues and aspects involved in an industrial wind turbine generator (WTGi) project.
Working Group 1 -- Economic Considerations: to include such matters as income/tax advantages to residents of Alfred jurisdictions; job creation capacity; property value impacts; number of students attracted; nature/extent of financial gain to corporations from government/taxpayer subsidies, from provision of alternative energy, etc.
Working Group 2 -- Environmental and Human Health Considerations: to include positive and negative impacts (and alleviating responses) on land, animals, people from the technology and its placement.
Working Group 3 -- Quality of Life/Community Enhancement: to include issues of visibility/disturbance to viewshed; "green" appeal; provide model (positive and negative) for other communities; "prestige" factor.
Working Group 4 -- Fossil Fuel Savings/Energy Efficiency Gains/Carbon Footprint Reduction: to include the backstory on all of this.
The next meeting will take place at the Alfred Village Hall on February 18 at 7pm.
If you would like more information, you can contact Kim Donius, Vicky Westacott, or Peter McClain at alfred.wind.meetings@gmail.com |
