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Somerset turbines will wreak havoc on residents
Credit: www.delmarvanow.com 28 March 2012 ~~
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On Feb. 28, a public meeting was held at the Somerset County Board of Commissioners in Princess Anne concerning large-scale wind turbines. The Somerset County Planning Commission has already sent a favorable recommendation concerning this wind turbine project.
The areas considered include most of Somerset County. Any land zoned Agricultural/Residential, General Industrial, General Commercial and Light Industrial can be considered for these 500-foot-tall wind turbines.
The required setback from a residential property can be as little as 770 feet. Noise from the turbines can be heard from as much as a mile away. At times, the shadow from the spinning blades can be seen for more than half a mile; this is called “shadow flicker.”
The energy company said on average, each turbine will only kill three birds a year. This is nonsense. The real number is closer to 25 birds a year. Even so, three birds’ deaths per turbine – times 50 or so units scattered throughout the county – is a lot of dead bald eagles, swans and songbirds. You do the math.
Also, each turbine may require that a cathodic protection well be dug, into which a sacrificial anode will be placed to control corrosion. As these anodes dissolve, they can leach into our aquifer and eventually into our well water.
Documentation shows the value of residential property near a wind turbine will drop by 30 percent or more. If you are thinking of buying or building a home in Somerset County, beware of the zoning of the neighboring property. You could have one or more noisy, 500-foot wind turbines sitting in a field close to you if the Somerset County Commissioners pass this amendment.
Thomas Leef
Marion Station
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