TO CSG MEMBERS AND FRIENDS:
The Board of the Coalition for Sound Growth (CSG) voted unanimously on 3 April to oppose the petition of BNE Energy to construct six 1.6 megawatt commercial wind turbines in Colebrook.
WHY DID IT TAKE CSG SO LONG TO MAKE THIS DECISION?
When t he CSG became aware of the wind turbine proposals for Colebrook in late 2010, a fair description of the Board sentiment was as follows;
— That we intuitively liked the idea of wind energy as an alternative energy resource.
— That we, like many others, were profoundly ignorant of the mechanics, viability, reliability and economic feasibility of wind turbines. We wanted to get it right.
–That while we knew that siting of commercial turbines in residential zones would be contentious, we did not know what the full impact that such turbines would have on a local community.
— That our ignorance was not helped by the fact that neither the State nor any near-by communities had proper regulations in place governing turbine installations of this size.
— That until we knew more, CSG should not take a stand.
— That at minimum, we should seek a year-long moratorium to study, to learn and to come to a consensus of what should be done.
WHAT HAS CSG DONE FOR THE LAST THREE MONTHS?
We have spent the last 3 months collecting data, doing research, attending meetings, studying how wind energy works (and sometimes does not) and talking to people more knowledgeable than ourselves. What we have learned now forms the basis of our web site. We have tried to provide dispassionate and reasoned information concerning this contentious issue. We seek to inform and to educate. The web site is neither complete nor comprehensive. It is a work in progress and will be improved.
HOW WILL THE WEB SITE FUNCTION?
We think of our site as being an annotated index to more extensive sites and links elsewhere. We will periodically update this site with new information. We solicit any suggestions that you may have for inclusion but reserve the right to make final editorial decisions. What wind energy can and cannot do to solve our energy dilemma and what impact commercial wind installations will have on local communities is going to be a running argument for some time to come. We urge you to visit:
• www.norfolkcsg.org
WHY HAS CSG TAKEN A POSITION OPPOSING THE BNE PETITION TO CONSTRUCT WIND TURBINES IN COLEBROOK ?
The press coverage of the CT Siting Council’s public and related evidentiary hearings held last week was extensive and Veronica Burns’ piece in the latest Norfolk Now succinctly provides an excellent summary. What became clear in the process was that the applicant was not an actual wind turbine developer at all. In fact, they had never built anything and this suggests that they may be in this for something other than bringing wind energy to northwestern Connecticut. But whatever BNE Energy’s game really is, the inescapable conclusion is that, if the proposal is approved, Colebrook as well as Norfolk (for these units sit on land that abuts Norfolk) will be impaired communities and holding a bag of depressed land values, unforeseen liabilities and unexpected costs.
WHAT YOU CAN DO ……… WRITE THE SITING COUNCIL BY POST OR E-MAIL.
At the hearing, the Chair stated that letters from the public would be accepted for 30 days following the close of the hearing. That puts an April 22 deadline for receipt of letters. According to State Representative Rigby, these letters are, indeed, read and do have an impact. We urge you to write and express your opinion.
Thank you for your help,
CSG