Highlanders present convincing case It's a shame the two Highland supervisors who got the majority of their constituents into this wind mess weren't around to see how hard the people whose views they ignored are working to clean it up. In fact, it's inexplicable that Jerry Rexrode and Lee Blagg would be no-shows at the State Corporation Commission hearings their indifference has made necessary. Nor can we explain why Robin Sullenberger, the lone board member opposed to industrial wind here and now, would absent himself for all but a half hour of the 14 hours of testimony presented.
They might tell you they have heard all this before. They might tell you their hands are tied by attorneys who tell them to keep a low profile on the issue. They might tell you they had more important things to do, and perhaps they did. They might tell you they had indigestion. That might be true, because they certainly didn't have the stomach for it. This was a very tough audience to play to. They would have heard the truth explained with the kind of detail and clarity lacking in the more emotional hearings they offered up last year. They would have found out we all know a whole lot more now than we did then, and it would have been very uncomfortable to come to grips with that.
Say what you will about Mac McBride. He sat through virtually every minute of the sometimes scalding contempt he took from his neighbors, looked them in the eye and spat them out. While he has never said a word at public meetings convened to consider his application, he has seldom if ever missed one. He's one tough guy, and in a part of the world where tough, independent men are valued, he stands out. The men who gave him the keys to the county are not cut from the same cloth. Problem is, McBride is just as wrong as he is tough. And he has broken the cardinal rule around here: Respect your neighbor.
The fight to preserve our visual and cultural heritage has entered a new phase now. The outcome is in the hands of people who don't know much about who we are or what's really at stake here. We are on a political, legislative and regulatory track that is complex and has a mind of its own. We can hope, though, the compelling evidence of McBride's wrong headedness so clearly presented to the SCC's hearing officer this week will, as he promises, be made available and understandable to the commissioners before they decide where we go from here. We trust they will look at the facts and the people's will and conclude a moratorium on wind projects is required until their potential consequences are fully understood.
Over the past several years we have published many editorials expressing opposition to the attempts of Highland New Wind Development and its supporting cast in the wind energy lobby to exploit Virginia's last appreciable unspoiled place. This week the people spoke to that position with far more power and eloquence than we could ever muster. We offer here, in no particular order, some of their views the cumulative effect of which was a devastating indictment of the wind lobby's indifference to the truth.
• "The only seeds planted on these so-called ââ¬Ëfarms' are the huge amounts of seed money taken from taxpayers' pockets to pay the bills of turbine-developer interests who want a relatively free ride." G.K. McClung, Monterey.
n Highland New Wind Development "has not regarded or considered" the results of surveys by state agencies on bat and bird species. "A higher mortality rate is expected" at this project site, and it is likely to have a "strong, adverse impact." Rick Lambert, local caver and electrician.
• There should be a moratorium on future projects "for a three-year period. We should not let them multiply until we understand the impacts." Jim Hughes, Highland landowner
• "Highland's ridgelines are Virginia's grand Old Dominion, and the Old Dominion has not jumped on every bandwagon the federal government has paraded down the street." Ann Wefer, McDowell
• "Highland County is the undisputed scenic jewel of the commonwealth … There is no need to strike a Faustian deal with the wind industry." Orren L. Royal, landowner
• There has been a 50 percent drop in land transactions since county supervisors approved HNWD's conditional use permit. "I'm convinced this project has already had an adverse impact on my livelihood and the county." Brian Richardson, local real estate attorney
• "Once the status quo is changed, there is no return, ecologically, economically, or socially. Fortunately, there is no pressing public need for this project. There is no emergency." Tim Downs, Monterey
• "Your decision on this will set a precedent that will apply to all future wind power applications in the state. If this application is approved, more will follow as surely as the night follows the day." John Sweet, Mustoe.
• "The estimated annual production for the HNWD project would effectively provide about eight hours of Virginia's total annual electricity requirement. The estimated August production for the HNWD project would effectively provide about 16 minutes of Virginia's total electricity requirement for the month of August." Rick Webb, Monterey, state scientist
• At Camp Allegheny, the parking lot was well-placed and screened, but "you can see Tamarack Ridge." Wind turbines should not infringe on this Civil War site. "There are no modern incongruities over the whole view shed," and many state and federal agencies need to be contacted about this project application. Scott Foster, Highland High School student
• "Laurel Fork, downstream of the project area, is healthy and sound. This project must be designed to maintain that condition." Dan Foster, Monterey, Mountain Soil and Water Conservation District director
• "The full social impact (of this project) has not been thoroughly reviewed … Highland County is indeed unique, a special place. That's what Highland County has. This uniqueness is its single biggest asset." Shawna Bratton, landowner
• "When people look at turbines, they instinctively know this (natural) balance is being threatened." Ann Swain, Bolar
• "Wind energy is still extremely inefficient. (This) is trading one environmental problem for another … A true Highlander wants to be a good steward of the land. A true Highlander wants what's best for all their neighbors, not just a few." Chuck Neely, landowner
• "Tourists visiting (Highland) have never expressed interest in visiting an industrial wind turbine … Just because we're small and have a low population doesn't mean we should be the guinea pig (for wind energy in Virginia)." Linda Holman, Monterey bed and breakfast owner
• "It's unfair that what we hold dear could be destroyed by one landowner." Sandra Bratton, resident.
• This application is contrary to the public interest. It would downgrade the quality of life for adjoining landowners, other projects are sure to follow, transmission lines will be required resulting in another set of problems, it is not unreasonable to expect property values to be negatively affected, it will harm wildlife, and the pride and heritage of Virginia will be marred. "It is unfortunate Virginia didn't have the foresight of North Carolina, which has protected its ridgelines." Nancy Witschey, Blue Grass.
• "Highland County does not want to be Virginia's guinea pig (for wind energy) ... This applicant has a blatant disregard for the (Allegheny Mountain) neighborhood." Laurie Berman, Hightown.
• "This is not the economic panacea" it's been touted to be. "We have been lied to. We have been misled." Chris Scott, McDowell.
• "This project has serious effects on the personal lives of people in Highland County, Virginia, and the Eastern U.S. ... (Highland) is a state resource. You need to be careful." David Glendinning, Monterey.
• "You may hear testimony or read that Highland County is in desperate need of money … Actually, we're not too rich, not too poor. We're managed fairly well." Steve Fullerton, CPA, Monterey.
• As a third-generation Highlander, "I feel like Chief Seattle pleading for the sacred burial grounds of my ancestors not to be desecrated. It is incredible to me such a request has reached this level of investigation … The intrusion of this industry is beyond belief … I certainly try to be objective and unemotional about this, but I am terrified, horrified and appalled (the project) has to be considered seriously." Elizabeth McCoy, Monterey.
• "To speak to the public interest, it's important to know who we are, what we are. What we do not have here defines it as much as what we do have." Betty Mitchell, Highland Center director.
• "In the summer, there is no wind of significance … But we are an entirely different climate than Monterey or McDowell. We are the sub-Arctic of Virginia. It is wicked on the top of that mountain, and these machines are not going to last long, they will have major difficulties … There are legitimate reasons for Highlanders to be concerned. Rational, justifiable concerns." Tom Brody, Bear Mountain Wilderness Retreat
• "Some people think we should sacrifice our ridges for the nation … I suggest the nation is a body with many parts, and Highland County contributes to the whole. Highland has a gift to contribute, and its gift is scenic beauty." Jim White, Monterey, bed & breakfast owner
• "This vast, community voice has every right to be heard … Listen to the voice of the community and support the quality of life that seems to have slipped away from so many places in the world." John Walters, Blue Grass.
• "I think the whole thing comes down to money. Money for (HNWD owner Mac) McBride and those who own ridges … It's all based on greed … If you grant this permit I'm going to be forced to leave, and I really don't want to do that." Ske Ellington, Blue Grass
• "The mountains are my soul, and the land continues to teach me many lessons … Please, please, please deny this application and allow this paradise to prosper for my generation, your generation, and future generations to follow." Elana Brody, 17, Hightown
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