From the field: Wind turbines are the local uninvited gusts

Hannah Alden, Reporter, The Record-Review Over the last couple weeks, there’s been a lot of commotion getting stirred up around two potential wind turbine projects in the area.

When my husband and I moved to the Dorchester area last May, we hadn’t heard anything about all of this possible construction. It’s not really the first thing on your mind when you’re thinking about purchasing a home, especially if it’s a conceptual topic being planned behind the scenes. We were more concerned with the overall acreage, condition of the house and other things that seem minor now.

Unfortunately, we recently found out that our property is very close to where construction of the wind turbines is proposed. After doing some research via county records, I’ve discovered a property owner near us has granted easement access to RWE Renewables, leaving us in the possible shadow of a wind turbine if the project moves forward.

According to an article in a February edition of the Tribune-Phonograph, “RWE’s Clark County project includes the towns of Hoard, Mayville and Green Grove. RWE approached the Mayville town board back in October 2020 and has been contacting individual landowners to sign contracts since then. According to RWE Renewables outreach manager Julie Drennen, the proposed project would produce about 200 megawatts of energy from 40 to 50 wind turbines spread out over 20,000 to 25,000 acres of land. There will be three or four turbines for each section of land. Around 50 to 60 landowners have signed easements to participate in the project, and more than 12,000 acres have been committed.”

I’ve read many of the articles I could find on this proposal as well as gathered information about the local Farmland First group advocating against wind turbine projects. They are also spreading word about another similar plan by Invenergy taking shape in Marathon County for 25 to 35 turbines.

I want to see both sides of this issue, because renewable energy is something we have to invest in to reduce the use of fossil fuels. However, it’s difficult to envision colossal wind turbines blotting the landscape around our home, potentially shadowing our property and changing the landscape for vital creatures like birds and bats. I’ve seen stories on the internet going around about the shadow flicker in homes caused by nearby turbines, as well as the associated noise and lights. I find myself coming up with questions like: Is there no other open space, positioned well away from homes that could be used for this purpose? What are the health and mental effects of living so close to a wind turbine? Have they been around long enough to be properly studied? Could solar panel installations be a different option?

I also see why the companies would be interested in this area. It can be windy! There might be struggling farmers who see this as a way to keep their land and operations afloat. I don’t know everyone’s story and reasoning behind signing these contracts. I also don’t know the reputations of these companies.

There are a lot of unknowns right now. As far as I can tell, the companies haven’t been very forthcoming about how many easements and acres they need before they launch construction or what stage of the game we’re in now. This is a new arena for many local township officials and residents.

I’ll be interested to see what I can learn at the upcoming Farmland First event on March 27 in Curtiss. RWE Renewables will not be at that meeting, but instead hosting its own open house in Abbotsford the same night. I encourage people to attend both if possible and gather all the details that they can.