Wind farm benefits outweigh issues

To the editor:

We live in the area of Bluff Point Wind Energy Center.

We live about 1,400 feet from the one on our land and about 1,500 feet from two that are on another farm. We have no ill effects from them. Our cattle sleep and graze right next to the one on our land.

We haven’t seen any flickers but we have talked to people that do. They say it’s not a problem. It lasts for a few minutes until the sun moves.

The noise is not a problem. Outside it sometimes sounds like a plane going by in the clouds above. In the house, I cannot hear it at all.

We have noticed most nights most of the turbines are turned off.

We live closer to three than most people do to one.

We have no health or sleep issues. (I’m a light sleeper.) 

There is no form of energy without impact. We are all impacted by fossil fuels.

Wind turbines provide carbon-free energy with no air or water pollution.

They also bring in a great deal of revenue in the form of taxes for schools, roads and infrastructure.

Ask the local concrete and gravel companies and their workers, and other companies connected with the construction. And even the restaurants probably benefitted from feeding the workers. All that money trickles back into the community.

Our commissioners and county council members protected us from turbines being abandoned and made sure that our roads would be well done (with bonds in place). We now have the best roads in the county thanks to wind farm money that frees up money for years to come that would have been spent on these roads by the county.

It’s like the engine show. The traffic is a nuisance, but it brings a lot of revenue into Portland. I just find another route to take, because it greatly benefits our community.

When our county and community benefits, we all benefit.

We believe turbines are a greater benefit than they are a detriment.

Sincerely,

Libby Davidson

Rural Portland