Wind ordinance should be stricter

To the editor: 

Jay County’s wind ordinance is outdated. 

Many counties in Indiana have refused to allow the wind industry to develop in their community. Other counties have revised their ordinance. Their decisions were often a result of reviewing research on the health issues experienced by people living in close proximity to wind turbines, as well as data that confirms the devaluation of property values. 

In Richmond, Indiana, Wayne County Commissioners voted unanimously to change an ordinance that will essentially ban any type of wind farm. 

Whitley County’s setback is now a half mile from the property line. 

Noble County has a 3,960-foot setback, and a noise limit not to exceed 40 decibels at 1,000 feet from a turbine. The ordinance also requires that a tower’s blinking light be shielded. 

Tipton County’s setback is now 2,640 feet from a property line. 

Fulton County Commissioners voting on an ordinance decided to ban the use of industrial wind turbines.

The Marshall County Board of Commissioners’ decision to ban wind farms was unanimous. 

If there were no risks, why would all these counties require stricter ordinances requiring setbacks to be further from property lines and/or why would they ban wind farms altogether?

The World Health Organization recommends a minimum setback of 1 mile for children, elderly, and the chronically ill. 

Many European nations with more than two decades of experience with wind farms have setbacks of 3 to 5 miles. 

Most people, when given the choice, do not want to live in a wind farm. 

According to the “Wind Turbine Impact Study,” by Appraisal Group One in Wisconsin, residential properties with 1 to 5 acres ordering (or in close proximity) to a wind turbine had a drop in property values of 33 percent to 43 percent. 

Illinois appraiser Michael McCann, who testifies on wind farm property devaluation, says real estate sales data typically reveals a range of 25 percent to approximately 40 percent of value loss. 

Scout Clean Energy says their project will not negatively impact home values. If that is true, then why not offer every resident living within 2 miles of the wind farm, a property value guarantee? 

Scout Clean Energy says there are no health issues associated with wind turbines. If that is true, then why don’t they provide medical research from an independent source that supports their claims?

Rachel Price

Rural Portland