Letter: Stick to the facts when discussing wind farms

To the Editor:

I am writing to dispel misinformation presented as fact by a representative of Farm Bureau Insurance to Goodhue County officials on the behalf of 484 families that belong to Goodhue County Farm Bureau.

That letter is untrue and not endorsed by all those members. In fact, they are almost entirely unaware of this representation.

I am certain a few landowners have signed contract with a wind farm developer and also happen to have Farm Bureau Insurance or farm loans through its financial program are the persons involved. This would eliminate approximately 480 families.

This is an unethical attempt to influence local officials with untruths.

It is true that wind farm projects would generate income for several landowners.

This would happen at the expense of hundreds of others.

Large industrial projects in populated rural areas infringe on lifestyles, health and property values of non-participating landowners. This is far and beyond "Not in My Backyard."

The standards in place by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission are being challenged by new and ever changing information. Data presented by persons paid by wind farm developers is not reliable. A moratorium on wind farms should be put in place until all testing is complete and all questions are answered.

A minimum half-mile setback from non-participating landowner property lines — if not more — is a must. Population density and terrain must be considered.

It has become more clear as new evidence comes in that wind turbines do not help reduce carbon emissions. Instead they go up as more standby coal must be ready to burn when the unreliable free wind chooses not to blow.

We who object to wind farms are not ruled by fear and emotion, as stated in the letter, but rather by facts and common sense.

Thomas Nygaard

Rochelle Nygaard

Goodhue

Tags: wind energy, opinion, letters, goodhue