Editor’s note: This commentary is by Art Sasse, who is director of communications for Iberdrola Renewables.
[T]he Stiles Brook wind project is a joint effort between local landowner Meadowsend Timberlands Ltd. and Iberdrola Renewables. The goal of the project is to bring renewable, clean energy to the region.
We have been working diligently with the communities of Windham and Grafton for more than four years to discuss the project factually. Given the misinformation and myths we are encountering, we would like to take an opportunity to provide factual information about the project proposal.
The project
The project would include 28 turbines – 20 in Windham, eight in Grafton. Iberdrola Renewables has proposed an economic benefits package that would deliver a minimum of $1 million to the two towns annually — $285,000 to Grafton and $715,000 to Windham.
This benefit package could eliminate municipal property tax payments for Windham residents and significantly reduce them for Grafton residents. We are currently talking with residents to learn if there are additional benefits that are important to each town that could be included in a final benefits package. This final package will be presented to the towns in advance of the November vote on the project.
Water quality
Two members of the Windham Select Board, along with the chair of the Planning Commission, recently sent a letter response to Iberdrola regarding the request to discuss a potential agreement. Unfortunately, the letter included false information. This false information has also been publicized on the local anti-wind website.
The letter asserts that the Stiles Brook project would be at odds with crucial flood management initiatives and goes on to state that at the Kingdom Community Wind (KCW) project site, “enhanced monitoring has not been carried out according to the requirements of the permit …” This is not true.
In an email response dated July 8, 2016, the deputy secretary of the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (ANR), Trey Martin, addressed the false accusations, stating, “Similar inaccuracies are found on the graftonwindhamwind.org website. Given these repeated misrepresentations, ANR felt it important to respond … KCW is in compliance with the monitoring requirements imposed by its storm water permit.”
The facts: The state has stringent requirements for maintaining a high level of water quality and dealing with the possibility of flooding and/or erosion. These requirements are much more stringent than any town ordinance or regulation.
The Stiles Brook project will include a highly technical and engineered storm water system that will help ensure that the towns of Grafton and Windham as well as surrounding communities are well protected against flooding and water contamination from the project. This is not just the right thing to do. It is the law.
Health
The letter states that the effects of living in proximity to wind turbines are unknown. This is not true.
Voters in Grafton and Windham should be aware of the falsehoods spread by the individuals and groups that are doing everything they can to prevent an open, fact-based discussion before the vote.
The facts: Hundreds of thousands of people live and work in close proximity to wind turbines without any negative effects. The peer-reviewed scientific evidence overwhelmingly finds that wind turbines do not harm human health. Further, credible peer-reviewed scientific data and various government reports refute the claim that wind farms cause negative health impacts.
There are Iberdrola employees living within a quarter mile of turbines at several projects nationwide. If any reader wants to talk to one of these folks please contact us and we would be happy to connect you.
The vote
Voters in Grafton and Windham should be aware of the falsehoods spread by the individuals and groups that are doing everything they can to prevent an open, fact-based discussion before the vote.
It is time for the fear mongering to end. The residents of Windham and Grafton deserve better.
We will honor a fair and equitable decision of the registered voters of the towns conducted by Australian ballot. We encourage voters to get the facts before casting a ballot.
