By Sophia Elmore, Newton County Enterprise
reporter@sugardog.com
MOROCCO, June 23, 2009 - The room was filled with concerned citizens who came to hear what the BZA board members were going to say about the wind farms on June 23. Mary Soliday, an attorney from Bingham-McHale, representing Duke Energy showed a power point on general information of the turbines.
She said there are six affected properties which she estimated to be about 6,000 acres and there would be 56 turbines on the properties and this would be phase I only. She went on to explain they were not asking for any variance changes and were complying with all of the county ordinances.
One of the ordinances would be for the setbacks of the turbine. They would have to be built 350 ft or 1.1 x the turbine height away from any property lines, roads, railroad lines and 1,000 feet from any primary structures, like residents. Soliday said "We are here tonight with the consent of the property owners."
Soliday told the BZA members the cost in engineering would be approximately $2 million and that is why the company wants the board's approval before they go any further.
There has not been a decision on which company would receive the job of building the turbines but it has been narrowed down to two companies. The board members were provided with a copy of the turbine locations and the specifications of the turbines.
At this time the meeting was turned over to project Manager Milton Howard who proceeded to give some background on Duke Energy. He mentioned Duke Energy had bought out Tierra company and Catamount. Duke Energy makes about 85 percent of their money from franchise utilities and the other 15 percent from commercial business units, like power plants. Howard gave a project schedule of commercial operation of 100 megawatts by 2010 and another 185 megawatts by 2012 for a total of 285.
Project Engineer Dave Polter from Arcadis, an environmentalist firm, explained the critical placement of each turbine. He said if they are spaced too close to each other then they would not receive enough wind to be operational. The presentation showed how the towers are strategically placed in rows, side by side, and front to back. He also reiterated what Soliday had said about all the setback ordinances and how all the turbines are in compliance. He added the turbines have to be 1,500 feet from any platted communities, and he said there are no platted communities. The maximum tower heights will be 325 feet with a blade length of 166 feet. The roads will be videotaped before the project begins and in the beginning will need to be wider than the usual 16 feet, but upon completion of the building of the turbines the roads would be returned to their natural width.
Polter said the life span of the project would be approximately 25 to 30 years. Some of the benefits listed from the turbine project were reduced reliance on foreign energy sources, it's clean, safe and reliable energy, construction jobs and operational jobs, property taxes. It was explained why there needs to be a 1,000 ft. setback from any homes because the distance acts as a buffer, and visuals. Polter assured the board 1,000 ft. was marked off from each home.
An operational/maintenance building will be built to house the full time employees, the controls where the turbines are monitored, and the communications for utilities so they know when and what power will be entering the grid. The size of the building could be about 10,000 square feet and would be located near the substation. Approximately 9,200 homes could be powered from this energy which is equivalent to about 64 percent of Newton County homes.
Soliday spoke again stating everything is in compliance to the Indiana law, the turbines would not interfere with the land use of the county, would benefit the public beyond any burdens. She also believed the energy would stay in Indiana. There will be about $700,000 generated in revenues, they are not detrimental to the public health and safety, not harmful or hazardous to the environment, neighborhood or community. The turbines do not generate any injurious air or water pollutions. She assured the board there also was no impact to the property value and would also not interfere with TV signals or cell phones. She ended saying she is not seeking a variance change, just waiting to get the go ahead to proceed to the next level and was looking to break ground next year.
Attorney Dan Blaney informed the board that the Newton County Council, on June 15, had approved a 10 year abatement, and Duke Energy is picking up all the lawyer fees. Blaney also said the Drainage Board will be looking at Benton County to make sure all safe guards are taken in Newton County.
Upon hearing everything presented the meeting was opened for public expression. Resident Wanda Prohosky, who owns property in Colfax Township, said she had done more research and has decided to sign with them. She said, "One of the reasons is and we all know it, Newton County needs to generate more money." She said for schools and roads, and this would be a positive way to help.
The Buyers family was concerned about what the affect would be on the wildlife, and was also concerned about the property value.
Ray Chambers representing the Lincoln Township Fire Department just wanted to make sure they have the safety training, water supply and there wouldn't be any interference with the radios. He just wanted the board to keep aware of these issues.
Deb Matthews stated she had gone to Benton County to take a tour and said there is a lot more to these things than what people think. She does not like the view of being surrounded by the towers. She said there is a strobe effect with the red lights on top that flicker at night, she stated she has an epileptic dog and was concerned about the effect on her dog, the shadow effect from the sun shining on the blades. She said the turbines do make noise and could cause a sleep disorder from the noise, heavy traffic not only from the workers but from the people who just want to see the turbines, tourists. She asked "What about the emergency vehicles, would they be able to get through?" She was also concerned about flying ice, lightening strikes and the electro magnetic field causing cancer.
Chip O"Leary from The Nature Conservancy, said his main concern was for the water fowls migrations. He asked that the turbines not be put in the birds flight route.
Another resident suggested having a comprehensive plan on how to spend the money and suggested spending on the schools. Rose Morgan spoke, saying she and her husband Dale are for the project and assured everyone her property is not in the path of receiving a turbine, but said she lives across from US 41 Dragway. "You can't get any louder than that."
The questions were all addressed, the Duke energy team said they are in the process of working with Matthews, and O'Leary and will continue to be. The $700,000 is net, after abatement. Polter said he has a picture in his office of sheep grazing at the base of a turbine. He doesn't think the turbines will affect wildlife and stated they are used to tractors and combines. Polter recognized and applauded the conservation, but there are a lot of bird deaths by hunters, and he will continue to monitor where the birds are flying. It was mentioned there is more radiation from your TV than a turbine.
BZA President Ed Watson was unhappy with only having received the information packet just before the meeting started. Attorney Pat Ryan suggested a few changes that both parties agreed to and the vote went in favor of Duke Energy.