To the board of supervisors:

We are writing to you to express concern regarding the potential wind energy site in Webster County being proposed by MidAmerican Energy. After speaking with multiple residents in the township, and county, there is strong opposition to a wind energy site in the area. While we realize this is anecdotal evidence, we have provided signatures via petition in opposition to this. The reasons for the opposition include potential negative impact on indigenous wildlife, auditory and visual pollution, private property abuse via eminent domain, and the net impact on the environment.

Wind turbines have a negative impact on indigenous wildlife, most notably birds and bats. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, wind turbines kill birds and bats. While the amount of bird and bat fatalities vary by region, multiple studies have confirmed wind turbines result in bird and bat fatalities. What will the potential impact be to our county’s wildlife? Fewer bats and birds will result in more insects, which could potentially result in damage to the corn and soybean crops. Has Webster County or MidAmerican conducted any environmental impact studies to determine the potential consequences of erecting large scale wind farms? We need to consider the entire food chain when evaluating impact. Fatalities to birds and bats, doesn’t just mean less birds and bats.

While wind turbines produce “clean” energy, they also produce auditory and visual pollution. Light flicker will cast shadows on the surrounding area, and the motor and the rotation of the blades will emit a constant noise. This pollution will negatively impact the daily life of those affected, not to mention pollute the visual line of the countryside, and lower property values. There are several Century Farms in our area. We would hate to see the population of the area further decrease, and property values plummet (resulting in a lower tax base) because of the erection of wind turbines.

A topic that needs to be discussed and scrutinized regarding this project is the potential use of eminent domain. What is the board’s stance on the use of eminent domain, if necessary, to acquire land for the turbines? Does the board view these wind turbines as a public utility? Private property ownership is fundamental to this country. If the board is willing to abuse their power and invoke eminent domain, each supervisor needs to be on record on their stance on the issue, so they can be held accountable next election cycle.

Finally, we as citizens of this county deserve more detail on the net benefit of wind turbines, beyond what MidAmerican is willing to pay the landowners for rent. What is the true environmental benefit of the wind turbines? There are no free lunches in nature. Stated more thoroughly, is the “clean” energy generated over the life of the turbine enough to offset the carbon footprint needed to manufacture, transport, repair, maintain, and dispose of the turbine? If so, by how much? Have any studies been conducted on this topic? When the turbines are decommissioned, what is the disposal process? Will the turbines be disposed of in our county’s landfills and, if so, what effect will the materials have on our soil? We have the richest soil in the world, do we want to compromise this invaluable resource by burying hundreds of monolithic structures every decade? MidAmerican Energy and county supervisors in support of wind turbines should be able to answer the questions above and provide data to confirm their answers before this project progresses.

Steve Slife

Webster County