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Hearing shows both sides of turbine issue

Photos: Residents tour wind farm

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By Bridgette Outten, Staff Writer Updated 7:16 AM Thursday, October 29, 2009

NORTH LEWISBURG — A packed auditorium at a public hearing held at Triad High School Wednesday, Oct. 27, represented a community divided over a proposal to build 70 wind turbines across six townships in Champaign County.

More than 50 people signed up to testify before representatives of the Ohio Power Siting Board.

The OPSB is a state agency that would issue a certificate to Everpower Renewables to construct the turbines, known as the Buckeye Wind Project, said Matt Butler, spokesman for the Ohio Public Utilities Commission.

Thursday’s hearing was the first of its kind in Ohio because the Buckeye Wind Project is the first application to propose such a high number of turbines, he said.

“This is a chance for the public to put their opinions on the record,” Butler added.

Testimony from both sides could affect OPSB’s decision either way, he said.

And the testimony from dozens of residents who spoke was varied as locals either welcomed Everpower with open arms or told the company to leave Champaign County.

“You must go. You are not welcome in our community with your misleading facts, your big business and your deceptive practices,” said Amy Blanton of Mechanicsburg. “It is time for you to go.”

People who shared Blanton’s opinion brought up issues such as possible ill effects the turbines would have on health, property values, aesthetics of the land and how much wind energy and noise the turbines would produce.

But those who are for the turbines argued that a wind farm would be a good way to move Ohio toward clean energy for future generations, would not disturb residents with noise and would generate more than enough electricity for local homes.

“I feel the need for energy and all the alternatives available,” said William Blazer of Woodstock. “I believe wind turbines will be safe for the environment and clean and I believe it will bring income to the community.”

A hearing scheduled Monday, Nov. 9, will allow parties involved in the project to present testimony to members of the OPSB.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0374 or boutten@coxohio.com.

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TO "Union Twp. Homeowner" It may be your view, but it is MY PROPERTY! You whiners make it sound like you are outside 24/7! The fabricated sounds (Amplified) that Joe Doss played was nothing more than a ceiling fan turned on high!

As to the McConnells, funny that they don't like noise, go by their factory and you have pollution, vibration and real noise!

And lastly, your 26 years pales to my 42 of being in this county!

Reality
12:28 PM, 10/30/2009

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reality,

I'm not a McConnell and don't know them but, I wonder if YOU'RE the one who is jealous and wants these "Disasters" being put up, to spite the McConnell's??

If you don't live in the area, YOU should have no say, what goes in my FRONT YARD.

I have been a homeowner in Union Twp for 26 years and have enjoyed the peace and quite and don't want that to change.

Maybe they should consider putting these "Disasters" in Town, where no one seems to give a care..

No Wind Turbines..!

Union Twp Home Owner
7:21 AM, 10/30/2009

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I have a small farm of 84 acres at 8246 South Charleston Pike and I would interested in having a wind turbine. I am in Clark County close to the Experiment Station. 1-937-462-8727.

Delmar Augustus
4:48 PM, 10/29/2009

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tc,
I'm a "not in anybody's backyard unless they want it" type of person. There's a proper way of building industry, and an improper way of doing it. We shouldn't do in the midst of existing residential areas. I don't think that it's right for a person to use their property in a way that destroys the value of his neighbor's property. I'd much rather have a house next to me than a turbine. My neighbors sleep at night. A turbine won't stop making noise at night.

james
3:27 PM, 10/29/2009

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James,
You seem to be the typical "not in my backyard" type of person. Anything is good as long as it's not next to you. Would all the other alternatives such as nuclear, gas well, or big solar panels be ok next door to you? I doubt it. I would mach rather have a nice big windmill next door to me out in the country rather than another house or houses close to me. And I think "Reality" is correct in stateing that a lot of the people who bought an acre out in the country are jealous.

tc
3:06 PM, 10/29/2009

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