All these recent posts are why I am glad we live in rural america. But even so it can be frustrating at times. Our county was considering wind turbines at one point. I was motivated and highly involved in getting it stopped. Our ordinances were very weak and inviting. Heck they were slated to begin development. Then residents caught wind of what was about to go up. It really woke up the voting population.
A group was formed and I helped. It was very interesting to say the least with my involvement. I decided to call an appraisal company that was local to do an apraisal on the county when turbines were commissioned. They turned me down b/c they didnt want to get involved. I thought that was odd but it didnt stop me. I found another reputable person. It took about 4 weeks for the report to be presented. I passed it out to commissioners and of course they all said they new how it worked. Yet a lot of us were looking at decreased property values. I then decided to take it to all the local real estate providers. They said the wind company had already been there, dropped off reports showing zero decrease in property value. Now thats stupid. A house with wind turbines viewable from the property is worth less. I dont care what anybody says. I have never heard someone say. I need to buy a house buy wind turbine.
Next I did an FOIA on all commissioners. Interestingly I had received an email between commissioner and wind rep stating there would unfortunately be decrease in property value. People were also afraid of the noises that turbines would create so that was a concern. One commissioner told the wind rep those people could just sound proof their homes. This FOIA was pretty revealing with one commissioner. So i copied about 20 pages where he was speaking out of his ass with wind rep. Made booklets to hand out. And it really pissed off alot of people b/c this commissioner was really well liked. He actually resigned b/c he couldn't take it anymore.
Through all this I was escorted and cursed out of commissioners office frequently. When they are lying they get worked up easily. It should also be noted I took all my findings and my report from appraisal company to the local news paper. They didnt do one article about it. Needless to say we dont have wind turbines in our county so the commissioners did end up doing what the tax base wanted but for about 3 years. I wanted to pull my hair out. We recently had solar companies trying to move in but thats been derailed as well. Newest thing is CO2 capturing. Thats still being decided
