Hoosac Ribbon Cutting Opportunity for Truth Telling
(Gillian Jones/North Adams Transcript)
People impacted by wind turbines in Falmouth lent support for Hoosac Wind Project neighbors in Florida at the ceremony on December 3, 2012.
The North Adams Transcript report by Edward Damon, “Residents protest wind turbines as Gov. Patrick, officials celebrate Hoosac Wind Project,” caught the usual scenario of officials patting themselves on the back for climate action while area residents are left to deal with their changed local environment.
Among them was town resident Michael Fairneny, who has lived with his wife on Moores Road for 29 years. Fairneny is concerned about how the turbines have changed his life, and whether he will have more to worry about once they begin to spin.
He claimed he was never given notice he’d be able to see a turbine from his property. Now, he can see three from inside his home and seven from his property.
And the turbine-infested vista is the least of his worries.
“I’m worried about my health, and my family’s health,” he said.
Fairneny points to recent studies that suggest living near wind turbines can cause negative health effects such as headaches, heart palpitations and sleep disturbances.
“We’re concerned because there’s not enough information to really know how bad living near turbines can be,” he said.
Additional coverage:
WAMC radio in Albany–“Massachusetts Gov. Sees Opening of Berkshire Wind Farm” by Lucas Willard.
Listen to the December 3, 2012 broadcast.
WWLP channel 22 Springfield “Wind farm project to power 10,000 homes” by Laura Hutchinson
Video clips with the story are splices of raw footage.
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iBerkshires reporter Andy McKeever provides a strong photo gallery in the local news article “Gov. Patrick Celebrates Completion Of Hoosac Wind Project.”
From Williamstown for Your News Now, Madeleine Rivera includes comments from protesters in her report “Governor Patrick celebrates largest wind farm in Massachusetts.”
The public needs to understand that all costs associated with projects like these serve only to increase electric rates. The electricity they produce has no intrinsic value and power companies are forced to purchase the energy at retail rates by the Massachusetts Green Communities Act (GCA). Whatever they cost it will always be additional because there is no way for wind and solar farms to replace conventional power plants. All current power plants will be needed to provide service for when there is no wind and no sun.
Recent studies show that the claimed greenhouse gas reductions are insignificant due to the need for constant backup. The Massachusetts Green Communities Act needs to be repealed before our electric rates skyrocket.
The GCA has failed to achieve any of its goals, and there is no reason to believe that the future will be any different.
The same government agencies that are funding these projects are responsible for funding and promoting the failed wind turbines in Falmouth. The source of the funds comes from a small added percentage to our electric bills, and some federal stimulus money.