Wind Energy Project Leaving Residents Unhappy
By: Barb Consiglio
Updated: March 25, 2010
BRADY TOWNSHIP, CLEARFIELD COUNTY - Clearfield county residents could see as many as 90 wind turbines pop-up in the next few years, and many homeowners aren't happy about it.
Brady Township passed the ordinance allowing eight of those wind turbines yesterday, and those who live near those sites say they are just too close to their homes, and they will effect, not only their property values, but their way of life.
Five generations of the Swope family have lived on this property, but Brady Township has now passed an ordinance that could put three 500-foot wind turbines surrounding their land.
"Selling the property isn't an option for us, we love it out here, and we want this to be able to be a place where our children can come to, and our grandchildren, and perhaps live here some day," said nearby homeowner Louann Swope.
The Swope's have done their homework on the effects of wind turbines and they say they aren't just an eye-sore. But they're also worried about noise, and even their health after talking to home-owners who are living with turbines near their homes.
"One was a medical doctor who experiences actual medical problems, headache, dizziness, that type of thing. Two of the people told us they cannot have their windows open in the summertime because it's just too annoying when the turbines are running," said Gary Swope.
They say they know that township officials worked hard to keep the interests of residents in mind, but that wind turbines just don't belong so close to people's homes.
And to prevent some of these problems, they're asking the township to enact stricter regulations.
Brady township officials say that the ordinance was a compromise between what the developer wanted and what homeowners wanted. And now they will wait and see if the developer will accept those terms, or if they'll have to go back to the drawing board.
Brady Township passed the ordinance allowing eight of those wind turbines yesterday, and those who live near those sites say they are just too close to their homes, and they will effect, not only their property values, but their way of life.
Five generations of the Swope family have lived on this property, but Brady Township has now passed an ordinance that could put three 500-foot wind turbines surrounding their land.
"Selling the property isn't an option for us, we love it out here, and we want this to be able to be a place where our children can come to, and our grandchildren, and perhaps live here some day," said nearby homeowner Louann Swope.
The Swope's have done their homework on the effects of wind turbines and they say they aren't just an eye-sore. But they're also worried about noise, and even their health after talking to home-owners who are living with turbines near their homes.
"One was a medical doctor who experiences actual medical problems, headache, dizziness, that type of thing. Two of the people told us they cannot have their windows open in the summertime because it's just too annoying when the turbines are running," said Gary Swope.
They say they know that township officials worked hard to keep the interests of residents in mind, but that wind turbines just don't belong so close to people's homes.
And to prevent some of these problems, they're asking the township to enact stricter regulations.
Brady township officials say that the ordinance was a compromise between what the developer wanted and what homeowners wanted. And now they will wait and see if the developer will accept those terms, or if they'll have to go back to the drawing board.
