Elkins Plans to Oppose Windmills
By ANTHONY GAYNOR, Staff Writer
POSTED: March 12, 2008
Elkins City Council has set a special call meeting for 4 p.m. Thursday with plans of passing a resolution opposing the Laurel Mountain Wind Farm project proposed by AES. City officials said Tuesday that after checking with the West Virginia Ethics Commission, no public comment period will be required for the meeting.
A resolution was on council’s March 4 agenda. However, that document was not prepared in time for a vote.
During that meeting, West Virginia Green Energy Alliance representative Joel Martin gave an informational presentation which sparked more than two hours of discussion between his group and those opposed to the wind project.
Residents from Barbour and Randolph counties packed council chambers to voice their opinions.
AES has submitted an application for the construction 65 windmills with the West Virginia Public Service Commission. The proposed wind project will be located on an eight-mile stretch of ridgetop between Randolph and Barbour counties.
West Virginia Green Energy Alliance and others in favor of the project say both counties will see economic gain from the windmills. Opponents argue that the windmills will be unsightly and will destroy the environment.
Anyone who wishes to protest or intervene should file a written protest or notice of intervention by Thursday. All protests and interventions should be addressed to: Shandra Squire, Executive Secretary, P.O. Box 812, Charleston, W.Va. 25323.
Member Comments
View Comments: | 1-8 | Post a comment
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MountainMan
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03-13-08 9:41 AM
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Elkins is doing the right thing and I applaud them for having the backbone to stand against the Laurel Mountain wind farm. There are plenty of documented facts as to why wind farms built on West Virginia ridges is not good science. All you have to do is look and read. There are much better areas for windmills, even if their benefits are marginal. Solar, and particularly nuclear, are much better alternatives anyway.
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horoso
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03-13-08 7:39 AM
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It is incredible that the Elkins city Council is opposing the wind turbines. There is actually nothing detrimental about them . Southern California is full of them and noboby thinks they are unsightly,they regard them as progressive. Actually the proposed location of the windmill farm is in a very remote and obscure area where very few people will see them. They should be concentrating on how the revenues that would be derived from this project could be used to promote economic growth in the future.
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chenomb
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03-12-08 7:51 PM
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Reject the evil windmill, voodoo energy...it only makes sense that we should continue to rely on fossil fuels for energy. As a community, a nation and a planet, windmills have no place in our future. In fact no renewable energy has its' place here. Allow this scurge to scar the hills of another community in another country...MINE COAL. I also have an idea that integrates a mouse and a wheel and have actually taken this a step further with a mule and some oxen, investment opportunity y'all.
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concern
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03-12-08 7:49 PM
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I think it is very sad that any thing proposed to help is shot down. I hear so many complain about gas prices, But no one is willing to give a little to help so I guess we should continue running our oil ran Electric plants and polluting the air. If thats what you want stop complaining when you fill your car up. we will use oil till it's gone. Then worry about it
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GRizzly56
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03-12-08 5:14 PM
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oppose the wind mils is right
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GRizzly56
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03-12-08 5:12 PM
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Windmills = Electric savings for whom?there not locally owned and would not supply power here just like the ones on the mountain in tucker county there owned by t.e.co Tampa Florida ?so who gets the$$$ not here ?? WE get the Eye sore
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enviro
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03-12-08 3:05 PM
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It is so unfair that a small group of politicians can try to influence a project that is so good for the environment, electricity cost, and the economic future of our area. We should be proud to be one of the first areas facing the challenges of the future, instead we have to hang our heads in shame that our leaders have closed minds and make decisions based on their personal feelings instead of what is good for the working people of both counties. How will they look us all in the eye when they vote for the next tax increase having turned down all of the money this project will bring into the area? Shame on you!
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datrout
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03-12-08 1:43 PM
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Elkins Council decision is simply wrong. The recent decision to oppose a potential windmill project in Randolph County by the Elkins City Council is a very poor one. Cited as reasons for supporting the unsubstantiated claims by the projects opponents illustrates the typical spinal flexibility demonstrated by today’s generation of politicians. Without citing actual facts as to validate claims that the project would destroy habitat those in opposition have resorted to throwing a catch phrase onto the wall. In this instance, the opposition has been willingly accommodated by politicians who have failed to challenge statements from both sides of the issue equally and instead have chosen to neglect researching the facts for themselves. Looking at various windmill projects currently in operation in the US one would find that such projects have little to no impact to watersheds, migratory routes and emissions. Can the same be said of coal and oil producing projects? Today 50% of energy wit
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