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Investors should be wary of Highland wind project
Editor, The Recorder,
Indeed, investors should pay due diligence in the consideration of the potential risks before investing in the Highland New Wind Development project. In many respects they would be investing in a pig in a poke scenario because of the multiplex unanswered questions concerning the project.
For example, it is not yet known whether the project sites on Red Oak Knob and Tamarack Ridge have had a verified, authenticated, unbiased, year-round study that has recorded wind velocity and constancy. Without such data it is impossible to determine whether the energy gained is worth the cost. Nor is it known what the density of the towers will be on the two sites, or what depth the concrete footings will need to be to support the towers, or the amount of blasting that will be required on the ridges for the excavation for the footings. What will be the result of the blasting on the groundwater or the excavation on the silting of streams such as Laurel Fork?
In the absence of evidence of adequate pre-construction vetting of these possible consequences, the prudent investor would be wise to heed the words of the State Corporation Commission's Chairman Morrison when he said that HNWD "is largely symbolic" and that he "wished that people would get real about the promise of renewables."
The promotion of HNWD is replete with misinformation, denial and distortion. It denies that there are endangered species of bats in the vicinity of the project. It states that the bald eagle has been "de-listed," ignoring the fact that it is still protected by the Golden and Bald Eagle Protection Act.
Recent inquiry to the enforcement official at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service revealed that violators of the act are subject to federal action, and that this applies to the operation of industrial and residential wind turbines. Funds provided for mitigation of wildlife skills are woefully inadequate, leading to prolonged shut downs of the turbines with decreased profitability. Time allotted for monitoring is inadequate and of questionable independence. Promoters continue to ignore the relevancy of the fact that the largest recorded bat kill occurred at a near by wind facility in West Virginia.
Potential investors should know that the promoters of HNWD consist of a motley mix of politicians, public relationers, hucksters and lobbyists who deny the risks of the venture. They should also understand that should they invest, they will incur the everlasting enmity of the majority of the citizens of Highland County for abridging their fundamental right to be left alone and for abusing their environment.
In the final analysis, it is the responsibility of the board of supervisors to see to it that HNWD adheres to all the state and federal laws and protects the natural environment. Should the board fail in its responsibility to enforce these requirements, it becomes the responsibility of the citizens to seek legal action. The citizens' last effort in this regard failed based on the ruling of the Virginia Supreme Court that the citizens sued the county rather than the board of supervisors. In the event that the citizens should again seek legal action, it goes without saying that the board members should not be indemnified by the citizens, to do so would make mockery of the necessity for personal accountability in the holders of public office.
Let us all hope that Virgil Caine does not become a victim of whirling turbine blades should she wish to return to Tamarack Ridge.
Orrlen L. Royal, M.D. M.S. (Biology)
Captain (Medical Corps) USN (Ret.)
Dublin, Va.
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