DON GROVES
Adams County Free Press
CORNING - The Adams County Zoning Commission heard about two hours of public comments at its Oct. 16 wind energy meeting at the Corning Community Center.
The majority of the comments came from those opposing the county’s proposed wind/solar energy ordinance, with many Adams County Priceless Land Coalition members sharing their concerns during three-minute speeches.
Many of those in opposition asked the Zoning Commission to see what nearby counties have done with wind energy projects.
Denise Kernen, the first to take the microphone, spoke about how neighboring counties have established moratoriums, turbine height caps, or larger setbacks than those proposed in Adams County and closed with the Bible verse “the love of money is the root of all evil.”
Katie James also asked the Zoning Commission to consider non-participants in creating the ordinance.
“Look around and see who’s sitting here — all of them love Adams County,” she said. “They’re not activists, they’re not radicals, they’re passionate about Adams County and their property.”
James said Coalition members and others have been asking for months for turbine caps, setbacks, and other concerns and have cited other neighboring counties that have passed moratoriums and created greater turbine setbacks.
“They’re not saying no, they’re just asking for stronger regulations,” she said.
Former board of Supervisors member and road supervisor Carl McCarty said he has been “personally attacked” by those who oppose wind turbines. He said the county has 176 bridges, six of which are closed and 76 others are in need of repair and the county has many other needs and those needs can be met without increasing taxes on residents with wind turbines.
McCarty said he has not heard any solutions from those opposing Invenergy and wind turbines and sometime “personal sacrifices” are needed for the “greater good” of the county. He urged the zoning commission to pass the ordinance saying it was financially necessary for the county.
Chris Cooper, who owns an 80-acre farm south of Nodaway, said he was solicited by a wind energy company but feels there should be “consideration for those who live in rural Adams County.” He felt there should be greater setbacks for residential homes, especially considering there are greater setbacks for towns and lakes than for homes and asked for setbacks of 3,280 feet from a landowner’s property line.
Mary Bashor of Corning felt Invenergy had been given far much more time to speak than members of the public who were given a three-minute time limit at the meeting.
“Whatever happened to being a good neighbor?” she asked. “How many board members are putting up wind turbines or planning on putting up wind turbines?”
Rod Stewart said he took a $40,000 pay cut to move to Adams County to farm and enjoy “the quiet rural area.” He said there’s “not enough there” in the proposed ordinance to protect non-participants.
“Who are you listening to? Is it the windmill companies?” he asked. “Why is a third of the county not being listened to?”
Stewart said if the county isn’t going to listen those in opposition to wind turbines “you’re going to start losing people like my wife and I.” Shane Conley said he had moved from Nebraska to Adams County for the landscape and quiet living but would not have bought his land if wind turbines had been present there.
Former Sixth District state Sen. Marlin Bartz spoke on behalf of Invenergy. He said more than 40 landowners have voluntarily signed up as wind turbine participants. He said the project will provide revenue for participants and the county, which can use the funds to improve roads, public safety and other needs.
Carmen Dahl of Corning said 944 residents have signed a petition seeking a moratorium on new wind turbines and she asked why those signatures have been ignored by the board of supervisors.
Jeanie Jackson said attorney David Levy represented wind turbine firms in Nebraska and asked why a wind turbine lobbyist was hired to write a county ordinance.
Mike Travis suggested the ordinance is being passed quickly so that wind turbine companies can benefit from a tax credit that is set to expire.
“Decisions made now will affect us for 30 to 40 years,” he said.
The next meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. Nov. 13 at the Corning Community Center.