Save Western Ohio is sharing the truth about today's wind energy industry - comparing it's true benefits to its use of federal and state tax dollars, and underscoring the unfortunate consequences of improper project and turbine site selection.
In the absence of any conditions for qualifying for the subsidies, siting guidelines with reckless setbacks from residential properties are being sought by wind energy developers, like this zoning amendment Click here now law in Jefferson Township, Logan County, Ohio.
Here is an overview of wind energy's limitations and concerns written by a West Virginia citizen. Click here.
Here is one citizen's view of what drives wind energy's march on America's rural landscapes. Click here.
NEW REPORT FROM THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Download a copy by clicking here.
NEW PUBLICATION FROM THE WIND INDUSTRY
"AWEA Wind Energy Siting Handbook"
This manual by no means includes everything we feel is appropriate, but it is much better than anything we have seen in the past from them or any other developer or promoter, for that matter.
We are especially pleased with these points, Click Here excerpted from the publication.
SETBACKS SHOULD BE MEASURED FROM PROPERTY LINES - NOT HOUSES
We advocate property rights and uses of all the land a person owns - to the extent that it does not infringe on the rights of neighboring property and its owners. We know of several examples of properties with one home placed at one end, the owner planning for a grown child or aging parent to build a home at the far end later. And some recreational uses such as hunting, camping, riding or golfing could be devalued if setbacks only refer to home locations and not to property lines.
EXISTING HOMESTEAD DENSITY
Higher rural homestead densities can only be considered by developers as a detriment to development for two possible reasons: Fear of litigation or legislated deterents to improper siting.
OUR MISSION
If current subsidies are perpetuated, and pending policies are enacted at various levels of government, they will work to effectively repeal significant personal property rights, setting precident that could reach far beyond renewable energy or wind turbines in the generations to come. At the same time, we must encourage - not discourage - technological advancement. After all, had the Wright Brothers been disallowed to experiment with flight, the world would be a very different place today.
We urge the public and our Legislature to balance the wind energy deployment momentum and the public funds that make it feasible with fair rules that protect Ohio's rural citizens' health, safety and welfare. We urge our leaders to work carefully, ensuring the end justifies the means with respect to their energy policy decisions.
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12/29/2007 County Election Board Upholds Citizen Voice In Wind Turbine Zoning
1/10/2008 Babcock & Brown Contract Signers File Appeal to Supreme Court to Muffle Citizens
2/5/2008 Supreme Court Rules to Silence Voters Who Wished to Overturn Irresponsible Zoning
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On March 15th, 2008 the "Safe Setbacks" signs at 540 and 533 had been whitewashed over. We encourage open and unobstructed dialog about - well, ANYTHING. Please, if you support the efforts of Save Western Ohio, DO NOT ever vandalize, steal or otherwise obstruct the message of our adversaries. Thank you.
-Tom Stacy, Managing Director.
The large sign used to read:
"ZONE TO PROTECT PEOPLE NOT WIND COMPANIES"
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How much energy MIGHT WE GAIN compared to what we give up?
Here is a formula IDEA that MEASURES IT
click here to view the Intrusion:Production Ratio