Pantagraph.com | Letters | Wind farm misplaced in Mackinaw valley

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Country Life wrote on Nov 15, 2006 6:26 PM:

" Don't believe the comments that Illinois is flat and homeowners ruin the landscape. We are also blessed to live in the Mackinaw River Dells. It's rolling with hills and bluffs that compare to those you see near Peoria (only much less populated)! Most people don't even come across it as we are definitely on "the road less traveled!" This land borders the Wind Farm and is zoned conservation. Twenty-three years ago we purchased acreage that was being farmed. Prior to farming, this rolling ground had been a forest with hundreds of walnut trees, oaks, and maples. Our family has worked lovingly to restore it to prairie, plant trees, and provide a sanctuary for wildlife. No, we won't walk among the majestic oaks and walnuts in our lifetime. But, we are taking steps to make sure our children and grandchildren can! Our dream is make this place better than we found it to honor the blessings we receive each and every day. We can assure you there is nothing like living in "God's Country!" We feel it's worth preserving and protecting. "

Concerned wrote on Nov 8, 2006 12:01 PM:

" To the last letter writer..........What a great letter......and....what a thoughtful and kind person you are to be concerned about your neighbors. Blessings to you. "

To Free Market wrote on Nov 8, 2006 10:55 AM:

" Those homeowners already paid for their view in the market price of their homes. Let the lessors purchase it back if they plan to destroy it. AND Don't feel sorry for us farmers. We willingly take the risks and that's just business. Windmills are NOT FARMING. They are industry. My husband made $2000 in soybeans as we slept last night. The paltry lease payments are not worth tearing up our ground and ticking off our neighbors. "

To: ?????? wrote on Nov 7, 2006 8:52 PM:

" Every wind turbine has a range of wind speeds, typically 30 to 55 mph, in which it will produce at its rated, or maximum, capacity. At slower wind speeds, however, the production falls off dramatically. If the wind speed decreases by half, power production decreases by a factor of eight. On average, therefore, wind turbines do not generate near their capacity. Industry estimates project an annual output of 30-40%, but real-world experience shows that annual outputs of 15-30% of capacity are more typical. With a 25% capacity factor, a 1.5-MW turbine would produce 1.5 MW × 365 days × 24 hours × 25% = 3,285 MWh = 3,285,000 kWh in a year. "

Finally...... wrote on Nov 7, 2006 4:38 PM:

" we see now why there is this big push to get these wind farms up and going. It just made no sense.......nobody was touting the savings on electricity to us around here..........it comes down to the almighty dollar. Some people would sell their souls for a buck. "

Be Careful wrote on Nov 7, 2006 3:52 PM:

" Wind factories are only being proposed due to generous government tax credits and other subsidies such as favorable asessment agreements. The big winners are wind factory owners and a few landowners. The big losers are U.S taxpayers, electric customers and those unfortunate homeowners who live next to or inside these factories. "

rl wrote on Nov 7, 2006 3:13 PM:

" lighted building are more problems for migrating birds than wind turbines: "September 20, 2005 The (New York) city says it has a plan to save birds that involved shutting off skyscraper lights. Lights Out New York is an initiative designed to help hundreds of thousands of migrating birds navigate safely through the city. Apparently the lights are distracting to migrating birds and have already caused the death of 10,000. Under the plan, the city will turn off the decorative lights on New York's skyscrapers. Owners of buildings above 40 stories are being asked to participate in the initiative. Lights Out New York begins Tuesday night at midnight and lasts until October. The Chrysler Building, which has gone dark before to conserve energy, is among those joining the program. The Empire State Building, which was plagued by birds for decades, already shuts off its lights by midnight. The Parks Department calls the move a "win-win" situation for the birds and building owners." So tree lbird lovers (Sierra Club) just clam down, your birds fly higher to grab the higher winds to migrate on as to travel faster. "

To Too funny wrote on Nov 7, 2006 12:55 PM:

" Please go back to your zero-lot-line box. "

Too funny! wrote on Nov 7, 2006 12:26 PM:

" The scenic view of Carlock?! Let's get real, it's not like they are building wind farms on top of Mt. Rushmore. "

Free Market wrote on Nov 7, 2006 10:17 AM:

" If you do not want the turbines there, then pay the existing land owners to not put them up. And offer more than the power companies are offering. Sheesh, you'd think that we live in China. "

Redneck wrote on Nov 7, 2006 9:17 AM:

" I think these things will make great target practice "

Country lover wrote on Nov 6, 2006 8:36 PM:

" To Not just......hope it was not a very difficult decision for you. It is good to hear that people still think quality of life is important. I wonder how many others have rushed into signing up when they thought about the money involved. I really hate to think that this is all because of greed........the love of money is the root of all evil. "

Wondering.... wrote on Nov 6, 2006 7:40 PM:

" Have Corn Belt or Ameren gotten on the wind farm band wagon? Why or why not? What is the great rush with getting these wind farms up and going? Don't we need to see how successful the one in the Ellsworth/Arrowsmith area is? Don't we need to see how the area looks after all is said and done? This farm ground is not going anywhere..........Hopefully it will not be 'gone with the wind"!!!! People are quick to tell others to MOVE if you don't like it. Maybe those who want wind turbines on their property should be told to find another way to make a quick buck. It is a two-way street!! "

?????? wrote on Nov 6, 2006 7:18 PM:

" 18 or 20% of what? What does that mean. If you had $100 or $10,000 18 or 20% is quite different. Without something to measure it that is meaningless. That may be great. Maybe we are just using 10% of nuclear energy. See what I mean? "

Facts Only wrote on Nov 6, 2006 6:03 PM:

" I am not opposed to wind farms. I only want the facts to guide all of us in the right direction. The efficiency of wind farms is very low (18 to 20 %). The wind farm on Rte. 39 in Northern Ill. appears to be in this range as only a small percent are actually turning at any one time. There are many dangers with these towers such as icing in the winter and high voltage. We need to evaluate and benchmark one farm before we place them all over the county. Does anyone remember the answer to the energy crisis in the 80s? Solar Panels!! Where are they now? "

To Jon wrote on Nov 6, 2006 2:19 PM:

" Buying 3 square miles wouldn't do it. "

Free Market wrote on Nov 6, 2006 1:50 PM:

" Wait a second, you tell "so" that others should not have to sacrifice the value of their property without compensation, but you are ok with landowners sacrificing by not getting to lease their land for windmills? It is their land. Someone will pay them value, about $5000 a year for 1/3 to 1/2 an acre of land. That is about 50 times what they would make in profit by farming it. And you want them to sacrifice that? The american farmer sometimes struggles to keep their head above water in today's market and something comes along to give them a boost and they are supposed to just sacrifice that and their livelihood so that someone can enjoy the view? Now that doesn't sound socialist, that sounds more like someone living in Never Never Land. It's their land. Don't like it? Move. "

Jon wrote on Nov 6, 2006 1:03 PM:

" If people are so worried about these "eyesores", why don't they just buy enough land so that they won't have to see them from their house? Go ahead and buy up 3 square miles of land and put your house right in the center and then when you look in every direction, you'll see nothing but rolling hills and beautiful timber. Remember, the free market dictates everything so if you value your scenic landscape - be prepared to pay for it. Thats the way it goes. "

Not Just wrote on Nov 6, 2006 12:46 PM:

" It's not just the urban folks concerened about the scenic views. We've been offered the opportunity to participate. Sure the money would be nice, but quality of life is worth more. "

Windy wrote on Nov 6, 2006 11:59 AM:

" DB.............you are not exactly right when you say that private landowners can use their land as they see fit. There are zoning laws that govern many things concerning land use. Why can't McLean County see how the wind farm in the Ellsworth/Arrowsmith comes out? Why must we rush to turn precious farm ground into windfarms without knowing all there is to know about windfarms? "

To so and Free Market wrote on Nov 6, 2006 11:29 AM:

" Public policy is there to protect public resources like our scenic views, open spaces and rural character. The people who own the farms don't own the scenery and they never paid for it. The marketable value of residential property is greatly affected by the view. It is something people pay for but do not own. That is why your county needs to protected it. "So" you think some people should sacrifice the value of their property without compensation? Were you raised in the USSR? "

What's the old saying? wrote on Nov 6, 2006 10:59 AM:

" "Show them the money, and they will lease." "

Devil's Advocate wrote on Nov 6, 2006 10:19 AM:

" Thank you Dan & Sally. This is an excellent letter and I agree totally with you. I also own property in the vicinity and do not wish to view the metal giants as their blades spin and chop up birds in an area , the Mackinaw River Valley, that has been called one of the most beautiful natural river valley in the state of Illinois. Plenty of room on top the skyscrapers in Chicago for them, plus they will already be hundreds of feet in the air. Shame on the County Board for allowing these to be placed in this scenic area. "

Free Market wrote on Nov 6, 2006 10:11 AM:

" Don't like it? Move. If you believe in a free market economy then unless it is your land you should have no say in how it gets used. Sorry. "

so... wrote on Nov 6, 2006 8:00 AM:

" you support alternative energy, as long as you don't have to make any personal sacrifices. "

to dan & sally wrote on Nov 6, 2006 7:20 AM:

" did you ever think that when your family moved into the area that you building a house in the area was down grading of the area. Timbered areas should be left alone so that the wild life have a place to live. more car / deer accidents this year because of home being build in nature areas running them out. other critters are living with humans because we built homes in their living areas. the completed wind turbines take up no more area than a house. their are no people around except for maintaining them. maigrating birds fly at levels higher than which the turbines reach. these may in turn help the animals and nature because people seem to not what to live close to the turbines. everyone grips about messing up the view. if this the case we should shorten the watterson towers, state farm corp building, the building in chicago and other towns. everything over ground level messes up the views. cave house should be the way to live. "

**** wrote on Nov 6, 2006 7:17 AM:

" Excellent letter. I think you captured the thoughts and feelings of many in this area. "

Well Said. wrote on Nov 6, 2006 6:47 AM:

" A new windfarm is also being planned east of the one having trouble near Benson by its same developer. This one is in Minonk and Panola Twps in Woodford County and Nebraska and Waldo Twps in Livingston County. The developer is canvassing land owners now to sign up. Speak up now before it's too late. "

hmmh wrote on Nov 6, 2006 6:47 AM:

" Everyone wants it til its in their neighborhood (even Ted K.). Eventually we will also be using this type of energy so we may as wll accept the new wind that is blowing. (pun intended) Just think of them as power poles. They are all around us and I don't remember one person hollering. Of course they were firmly in place when I came along. "

Well Said. wrote on Nov 6, 2006 6:40 AM:

DB wrote on Nov 6, 2006 1:04 AM:

" Where in Chicago do you propose we put these windmills? I'm sorry you feel that they will be an eyesore, but the private landowners have every right to use their land how they see fit. "

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