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Urbana files for role on turbines

Council will have a say in upcoming hearings about the wind energy project.

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By Matt Sanctis, Staff Writer 9:02 PM Friday, October 9, 2009

Urbana’s City Council voted unanimously Friday, Oct. 9, to file as an intervenor in a proposed wind turbine project, after concerns were raised that the project could impact approaches at two local airfields.

A handful of area pilots, as well as officials from Everpower Renewables, a New York-based company that proposed the project, packed a small training room at the city’s municipal building before the vote.

The city’s Airport Growth Advisory Board recently notified council members that the Federal Aviation Administration had listed 38 sites that could be potential hazards to instrument approaches for Grimes and Weller Fields. The Ohio Department of Transportation’s Aviation Division has also said 10 turbines could directly affect approaches at the two air fields.

Melanie Kendrick, city development planner for Urbana, said the city has not yet decided what stand, if any, it would take in the case. Friday’s vote simply means the city will have a say in upcoming hearings about the project, she said.

Michael Speerschneider, a project developer with Everpower, said the company would work with the airport to alleviate those concerns. He said Everpower will not build a wind turbine that was deemed a hazard by the FAA.

Instead, the company will offer to invest in localizer equipment at the airport to resolve the issue. Localizer equipment is a navigation aid that assists with guidance to the runway. Everpower would cover the costs associated with the project, Speerschneider said.

If approved by the Ohio Power Siting Board, the Buckeye Wind Project would build about 70 turbines throughout eastern Champaign county.

Rick Rademacher, a local pilot, said the concern is how close the turbines are to the airport, and how tall. Even a small distraction in the air can be a serious issue, he said.

He argued the issue should be addressed before the project begins.

“They seem to react after there’s a catastrophe,” he said of the FAA. “I want them to do this ahead of time.”

Mary Lee Gecowets, a member of the Airport Growth Advisory Board, said the group is not opposed to the turbines. But she said their job is to look out for the safety and economic growth of Grimes Field.

Grimes Field is the site for the county’s annual hot air balloon festival, and recently began hosting the Mid East Regional Fly-in, which draws private aviation enthusiasts from around the country. A runway extension at the airport is also being discussed, Gecowets said.

Weller Field is a small, private air strip near the intersection of Ohio 29 and 3-Mile Road.

A hearing on the project is scheduled at the OPSB offices in Columbus on Oct. 27.

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Michelle,

The people didn't have the Health Problems "BEFORE" the Turbines were erected..! These people were ALL FOR the Turbines, until the Health Problems started, because of the Noise, Flickers and Vibrations, mind you, 24/7, 365 days a year. These 492 feet Monsters running like this would cause ANYONE to go Nuts in addition to the Health Problem they HAVE CAUSED..!

We have Oil in the United States. People fail to see we need to DRILL, DRILL, DRILL..!

WANT TO BUY MY HOUSE????

Stop The Wind Mills
10:12 AM, 10/12/2009

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People having health problems is one thing. People attributing their health problems to a source without concrete evidence is another altogether. I'm not doubting that they have health issues, but there's no serious proof that wind turbines caused them. I'm not a corporate promoter of anything. I'm just tired of our soldiers getting killed and the US going bankrupt all because we're too backward-thinking to get on board with green energy. I'm not worried about boogeymen; just big oil.

Michelle
3:32 PM, 10/11/2009

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Michelle,
I'm sorry, since when is people having health problems from being exposed to the Wind Turbines, no considered Science. The expose to the Noise, the Flickers not to mention the vibration of the Machines has a big affect on the Human body. You're just a Corporate Promoter of these Senseless, Worthless, Killers of Human Sanity and Health, that you really don't care about a Real Person, as long as your Corporation gets its MONEY..!!

WANT TO BUY MY HOUSE SINCE YOU LOVE THEM SO MUCH???

Stop The Wind Mills
9:55 AM, 10/11/2009

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I'm sorry, "stop the windmills", but the article you posted has no basis in science whatsoever. It's clear that the author is afraid of big government (and evidently sees some kind of Biblical parallel with David & Goliath????). It's conspiracy theory at best and senseless fearmongering in any case. Don't automatically assume that there's some kind of hidden agenda behind progress in green energy. The oil companies have spent a TON of money to scare us from using any other energy source.

Michelle
2:39 AM, 10/11/2009

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Without heavy government subsidies (guess who pays those, taxpayers?)these alternative energy things just don't make economic sense. There is no shortage of energy in Ohio and never will be since those who leave last we hope will turn out the lights! It's easy to love the clean energy concept when you don't understand the math. The only winners here are those who build the units (they aren't in Ohio by the way) and the landowners who will get the fees. Everyone else pays through the nose.

area resident
12:35 PM, 10/10/2009

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