Wind Turbine Siting - Year in Review

Concerned citizens across the US have been clamoring for sensible siting of industrial wind turbines. Local government control and protection of private property rights are fundamental principles in a free society. Well-documented problems caused by utility scale wind energy range from low-frequency noise to wide-spread killing of bats and birds. Wind industry promoters deny or obscure any facts that might interfere with the free flow of tax money and publicly regulated electrical rate money.

When Xcel met with citizens of Goodhue County Minnesota this week, they asked if bald eagles were the main concern.  Citizens responded that eagles are not the only important concern, but eagles are proving to be the easiest for citizens to prove and the most difficult for the wind company to deny. 

Below is a December 22, 2011 photo of a nest near me that T. Boone Pickens' AWA Goodhue said:

1. Does not exist. (June 2011)
2. Is a Red Tailed Hawk nest (November 2011)

On the eve of 2012, I'm thankful for citizens across America protecting the US abroad, in our back yards, and in rural farm fields.  I'm also thankful for our symbol of freedom, the American Bald Eagle, shining a bright light on my home turf in Goodhue County.

Happy New Year!