First, a moth problem; now a myth problem

First, a moth problem; now a myth problem

To the Editor:

In the early morning hours of Feb. 1, many Garrett County residents returned from the DNR meeting held in Annapolis feeling very proud that a vast majority of those commenting on the question: Is the installation of industrial wind turbines on state land a proper use of Maryland public lands? answered a resounding "NO."

About 200 attended the meeting held at the Arundel Center Thursday evening and 63 made public statements. Of those who spoke 56 opposed turbines on state land (namely on Backbone Mountain and Meadow Mountain ridges) while seven spoke in favor. There were 15 in opposition who did not reside in Garrett County.

Frank Maisano hired by the US Windforce argued that turbines, a source of clean energy, would increase tourism as people would be drawn to the area to view the 40 story high turbines. This caused somewhat of a derisive reaction from the audience who seemed opposed to that type of tourism. It was also stated that the visual blight would be no worse than that of the Wisp Ski Resort which lights up the Deep Creek Lake slopes.

Mike Tidwell of Chesapeake Climate Action Network spoke in favor because he believes that wind energy will be part of the solution to slow down global warming and would supply clean energy to Allegany and Garrett County.

The overwhelming majority however departed from these views with arguments ranging from aesthetics to wildlife, from wildlife diversity to energy effectiveness. The most stated reasons were that wind turbines while destroying the economic advantages Garrett County enjoys from tourism and various outdoor sports activities, including hunting, would deliver a disappointing amount of energy, as the wind blows inconsistently in this area and delivers only 30 percent efficiency levels.

Paul Fletcher stated humorously that in Garrett County "We had a moth problem; now we have a myth problem."

Moreover, the energy will be funneled out of state and will not supply Allegany or Garrett County with energy or remediate Maryland's forthcoming energy needs that will kick in by 2011 according to the Energy Administration.

Another negative stated by opponents was the destruction of forests that absorb carbon and provide habitat for a diversity of species of plants and animals. The fragmentation of public forests extending uninterrupted along the Appalachian ridges would adversely impact all of plant and wildlife even that existing around and not directly on the ridges and would be irreversible.

Statistics were quoted from European countries using wind energy about the decrease in property values of land owners living near the turbines. Mentioned also was the direct impact that huge turbines would have on New Germany State Park which is located next to Meadow Mountain. Turbine blades, a football field long, would spin over heads of the 30,000 annual visitors who come to that park to seek an oasis of natural tranquility.

Many creative solutions were proposed for meeting Maryland's future energy needs that would not involve the clear cutting of public lands. From both meetings in Annapolis and earlier in Garrett County, it is obvious that many groups and individuals stand opposed to the use of public lands for industrialized wind turbine plants.

Kathy Tunney
Grantsville