Forum focuses on wind, worries
Published on -4/22/2009, 12:34 PM
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By GAYLE WEBER
Much of the discussion at a wind energy forum Tuesday night at Fort Hays State University revolved around the same arguments both proponents and opponents of the alternative energy in Ellis County have maintained all along.
The one thing the forum's three panelists could agree on was that reducing energy consumption is needed.
"Very few people talk about that," said Bruce Graham, a wind energy technology instructor at Cloud County Community College. "But that's the No. 1 thing. You don't have to have any of these environmental impacts if you reduce the amount you use."
Graham was one of three panelists to speak at the American Democracy Project-sponsored forum at FHSU.
Graham spoke to a crowd of approximately 50 people about the construction of the Meridian Way Wind Farm south of Concordia and the benefits Cloud County has seen from the development in the last year.
Graham said it didn't matter whether the country pursued nuclear, coal, solar or any other type of alternative energy, people still have to reduce consumption.
"Just because it's cheap doesn't mean you have to turn on your lights," Graham said. "A lot of people say, 'I don't turn off my lights because my electric bill isn't that high.' That's not the proper method."
Energy reduction was about the only nod wind opponent J.P. Michaud gave to either Graham or wind proponent Harold Kraus during the two-hour forum.
Michaud, who owns land in the proposed Hays Wind LLC project southwest of Hays but opposes the project, presented findings from his research on wind energy.
Michaud said while the potential environmental effect of a wind farm might not be realized in every instance, they have to be considered. Those include the danger to bats and migratory birds and destruction of land to construct wind turbines.
"Apparently, we have to destroy large parts of environments to save it," Michaud said.
Michaud, who appeared instead of the scheduled John Schmeidler and thought he was going to debate the merit of wind farms, said the key to the future of energy will be diversification.
However, Michaud, who was told by the audience to stop his presentation after about 30 minutes, said wind energy could not be relied upon to replace other energy sources, calling it "intermittent and unreliable."
Much of the controversy surrounding Hays Wind LLC's proposed project has surrounded the siting of wind turbines.
Cloud County teaches a semester-long class concerning turbine siting.
"Out in California, when wind energy was new, they put the wind turbines in the worst possible spots they could," Graham said.
However, Graham said, technology, environmental studies and permitting have improved the siting for wind turbines to avoid putting them in migratory bird paths or in interference with weather radars or television reception.
Kraus, a lease holder in the Hays Wind project, also presented his research on the issue, saying the city of Hays will have plenty of room to grow even if wind turbines are installed in their proposed locations.
Based on the population density of the city and the available development space in the 3-mile radius surrounding the city, Kraus said there would be room for more than 129,000 people in the 3-mile zone for future growth.
The three panelists responded to questions from the audience regarding the merits of their research, taxes, energy storage methods and noise levels.
Graham, who takes Cloud County students to the Meridian Way Wind Farm for internships and hands-on training, described the school's success with the project.
"I'd say 98 percent of the people are in very much favor of the wind farm there -- how it was handled, how the roads were repaired, the bridges were replaced, the soil was put back as good as it can be," Graham said.
"They were very supportive of it. In fact, they're supportive of tripling the size of the wind farm that we have."
By nearly every account, it is far less an issue of "if" turbines will be located in EL county. Even the opponents seem nearly resigned to that (some just don't want it close to them, that's different). Really seems more like an issue of "when" and "what" and "where". So if they are likely going to happen, why should our citizenry not influence the payback scenario rather than waste so much angst on the "if". They want to put them here let's get something for it. Maybe wind is not all that free in EL county. Besides, the longer this issue cooks the more hot air is produced. For example, I think that the prairie dog is an interesting animal, but I'm really not that concerned if they might have to pick up and move their 3BD 2BA burrow a hundred yards because of the noise. We can care, but come on folks. Everyone is for smart use of green energy, right? Wake up and smell the kilowatts.
(Posted by: AverageJoe)
Ellis County: 4/23/2009
I believe the majority of people are for progress in Ellis County. Unfortunately, most people who care are busy trying to lead productive lives unlike these nimbys who have all kinds of time to waste being nosey neighbors.
(Posted by: a fan of progress)
windtowers: 4/23/2009
when you drive into hays from the south on old 183....look west...you see transmission towers, oil wells. silos, and on and on...wake up elllis county, we need the wind towers....
(Posted by: terry keenan)
Waste of time: 4/23/2009
The people who are opposed to the projects in Ellis County don't care about the future of the county, they only care about themselves and the appearance of things, also known as selfishness. It's useless talking to them. They are all Birds of a Feather.
(Posted by: Keep the faith)
For The Birds: 4/23/2009
Some people is Ellis county just need to STOP. Worrying about things like Birds, what next. What about the plane crash on the Hudson, did the people in Ellis county even care about the people on board making it through, or where they too wrapped up trying to figure out how many poor birds were killed. Let's just ground all flights, for some flock of birds may be in danger.
(Posted by: A Feather)
Wind: 4/23/2009
Ellis County, soon to be the land of the new stone-age. I hope it's worth it people. Typical (old and some young) Ellis County citzen--opposed to anything new.
(Posted by: Cory)
PRAIRIE CHICKENS?: 4/23/2009
Desparing you need to get in touch with reality,every square foot of Ellis county is not going to be covered with wind towers. The prairie chickens will find a new spot to live,probalbly with-in a few feet of their old spot. They same kind of BS was spewed forth about the Alaskan pipeline line hurting the caribou population. Guess what,there is more caribou now then before the pipeline went through. If your going to have an argument at least have a good one.
(Posted by: SCOTT)
Wind: 4/23/2009
I hit more birds with my car than a wind tower will hit. Maybe they should stop letting us drive cars Michaud!! Michaud you need to go Antarctica you can protect all the birds and wildlife you want there.
(Posted by: Ryan)
Cry more Kent -- get real: 4/23/2009
I have family in Ellsworth county and as many of you know this along with Lincoln county is the other area with wind farms -- none of what you said is even remotely true. Workers trashing things, downed costs if towers are abandoned -- how quickly do you see that happening??they've had them for a long time in SW Kansas, especially since it costs a lot to put them up. Again, GET REAL. This is just another person crying over nothing and not looking at the big picture. If we don't progress like those counties, Ellis county will start to go backwards as these other areas pass us up for things to come -- THINK ABOUT IT!!!!
(Posted by: Quit CRYING)
: 4/23/2009
Has anyone ever crunched the numbers? Annual PILOT monies that won't be adjusted for inflation versus lost areas of growth, lower property taxes on adjoining properties, higher police and other county costs while numerous workers trash local apartments and so forth. Take down costs if the land and towers are abandoned by a future owner. How come wind companies with project proposals aren't required to pay for independent unbiased studies. Is anyone in charge? Does $600,000, or 20 bucks a year for each Ellis county citizen make minds go numb. What a joke.
(Posted by: Kent Conner)
: 4/23/2009
If people were really worried about what effect wind turbines might have on wildlife. Why are they not standing up againt oil wells. They make noise, the pouring of oil on lease roads isnt good for the wild life either. Hmmm i wonder why they dont seam to care about them though.
(Posted by: )
ME NO FOOL: 4/22/2009
Let me see if I have this right,...the feds, and state govt. have done nothing to protect our boarders, jobs, children, or reduce the 20 million our so illegal immigrant that's flooded into this once great country, "BUT," now their telling us, the citizens of the United state, reduce your energy consumption...WHAT! We have limited resources, we can not just let people pour into this country with their diseases, hang ups, crime,and ENERGY CONSUMOTION, just for more taxe!,Kiss your country goodbye, or stand up to these laying jerks, from the white house down!!!
(Posted by: Deleted)
Band Together: 4/22/2009
I think those of us in favor of this need to band together to push wind turbines through in Ellis County. Maybe if we can do this, those ignorant people opposing it will find a new place to live and we can then proceed with even more projects, because they always seem to knock every idea of growth and prosperity. The truth of the matter, in my opinion, is that some of those opposing this are doing so because its not going to be placed on their land and they won't get any kickbacks ($$$) and Farmer Joe down the road will. Those that do oppose and have potential to have them placed on there land are just stubborn and again, like many have said -- IGNORANT
(Posted by: )
reality realized: 4/22/2009
J.P. said we have to consider effects that aren't realized. How is that done? Will J.P.s imagination rule this realization?
(Posted by: re-lies)
Lesser Prairie Chicken: 4/22/2009
It is not just the birds in the air but the fowl on the ground that will suffer. Noise is an noxious stimulus from which both humans and animals want to escape. Sadly the humans will be stuck in their toxic homes and the lesser prairie chickens will disband from their habitat. Some much will be lost because of lack of regulations for siting this industry.
(Posted by: Despairing)
Michaud Goes On and On and On......: 4/22/2009
J.P.: OK, you got NIMBY. Kraus, you're going to make some money. Big deal, we need wind and solar and nuke and coal and oil. Will all you all behave yourselves!
(Posted by: Dealin' with Dummies)
: 4/22/2009
Michaud needs to go back to Canada. Do you honestly think that birds cannot see the wind generators. If this is such an issue then there shouldn't be a bird left in Holland beacuse of all the wind mills they have. The true depth of ignorance shines in Ellis county when it comes to this subject. People don't want coal power, they don't want wind power. Maybe we all should just sit in the dark,thats where a lot of people in this county are anyway.
(Posted by: SCOTT)
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