ForumMissisquoi.com

Dear Neighbours and Friends,

Please allow me to weigh in with an opinion or three about the proposed Wind Farm Project slated for Stanbridge Station. My first reaction to the project was disbelief. What civilized society is willing to destroy its most productive farmland, in order to produce a few kilowatts of electricity and a few bucks. Who in their right mind destroys a most precious resource, fertile farm land. It should go without saying that we need every available acre of good fertile land to grow our food. One need only drive to Montreal to see how quickly the farm land around us is being paved over by roads and shopping centers. Food security and access to locally grown produce is a hot button issue around the globe. Why not here?

The Wind Farm Project met with opposition the first time around, and justifiably so. Industrial wind turbines have no business being erected in such close proximity to houses and people. All around the world, in cities and towns, municipal councils are insisting that the distance between wind turbines and people be increased. We are only now becoming familiar with the health problems that are created for humans when industrial wind farms are placed too close to residential areas. This is a public health and safety issue. We would be wise to heed those who are farther along in this debate than we are.

But as is so often the case, bad ideas often get re-tooled and sent back out into the world pretending to be new and improved. The Wind Farm Project has been scaled back somewhat, and is now being raised up the flag pole as a "co-operative project." From where I sit, you can dress it up any way you like, it is still a project without any economic justification, or environmental integrity. It is not a green project, and can never be sold to the public as such. Unfortunately, the people behind the project (sensing opposition) are willing to do whatever it takes, and say whatever they can, to push it forward to fruition.

At a meeting in Bedford this February, it was clear to me how destructive and devisive this project has been to the local social fabric. In my brief encounters with various activists that night, I could sense that the proposed wind farm is creating alienation and distrust even among relatives. Sadly, there is little clarity among the municipal leadership and hardly any transparency to be found.

Wind turbines are a beauty to behold, and a marvel of modern engineering. I stand in awe of them. Let's face it, they are the ultimate combine that harvests the sky. But they should not be placed next to our homes and villages.

I am bewildered by elected officials who disregard science, economic reality, and environmental harmony. How did we get to this place? And more importantly how do we move through these difficult and exciting discussions with honesty, respect, and integrity? We are at a wonderful crossroads in time. New solutions for energy needs are being created and marketed. Citizens are eagerly looking for ways to do their part to live more harmoniously with the environment. My hope is that this wind turbine debate will include all of the "up to the minute" knowledge at hand, and that opposing positions will hear each other more clearly. Sadly it seems too difficult to hear each other with the sound of wind turbines in our ears.

Pamela Dillon

Stanbridge East

2010/04/08

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