Proposed wind farm divides community

BELLEVUE — A public hearing illustrated how a proposed wind farm is fanning the flames of division in Erie and Huron counties. More than 100 people tuned in to the Ohio Power Siting Board's online public hearing on Thursday for the Emerson Creek Wind Project. If approved by the board, the project would see the construction of up to 71 industrial wind turbines in Erie and Huron counties. But before deciding, the board listened to dozens of testimonies for and against the project and its planner, Apex Clean Energy. Opponents The people against the wind turbine project cited the dangers turbines pose to protected species like bald eagles and diminishing property values. "Our family has lived in this area for more than 150 years. Rural life is all we've known and loved," Bellevue resident Pat Ruffing testified. "We've worked hard to improve our property, and now we see our investment threatened." Another repeated area of concern was the karst — when a limestone bedrock dissolves due to underground water erosion — in the Bellevue area. The karst can cause sinkholes, and according to opponents, the turbines could lead to groundwater contamination. "The karst formations are arguably the most important reason why wind turbines would not be built in this area," Erie County resident Cheryl Mira said. "My mother and I live a mile south of a turbine. I have seen sinkholes develop overnight grow bigger and seen water flow over the highways." Several people also questioned whether it would be safe to have massive turbines so close to a densely populated rural area. Jim Feasel, of Tiffin, said he got a hold of one of the classified manuals for a turbine that showed a safe distance from a turbine was 1 kilometer during a thunderstorm. "A wind turbine is at high risk for lightning strikes," Feasel said. "Any time a storm passes through, neighbors would be in danger on their property." Lyme Township resident William Kaltenbach questioned why wind companies kept safety distances classified as a trade secret. "Easy so they can cram more turbines into a more populated area," Kaltenbach said. "They are willing to sacrifice the safety of residents for the almighty dollar." Proponents The members of the public speaking in support of the project focused on its environmental and economic benefits. Retired teacher Anne Fry, of Bloomville, said she hoped for years that the Seneca East School District would one day have a significant business to help support it. "We now have that chance with the prospect of wind energy projects bringing hundreds of thousands of dollars to our district each year," Fry said. "It's wonderful that we have the acreage to place wind turbines in our fields." "Our rural community can benefit and prosper from wind energy," Deb Fritz, of Willard, said. "The schools, the library and the senior enrichment can improve their services." Eric Jennings, who plans to retire to the land he owns in Huron County, focused on the need for the community to diversify its tax base. "Huron County is in dire need of an improved tax base to support our schools and services," Jennings said. "I support this project because, from day one, Emerson Creek would be one of Huron County's largest taxpayers." He also called on the board to ignore contradictory testimony to allow people to do what they want with their land. Mary Musko, a Sandusky resident who owns farmland in the project area, believes it will be good for the environment and the community. "I care about this area and my farm. When the wind and solar people asked me to sign a contract with them, I did because I think this is where we should be going for our energy," Musko said. "It's renewable, safer than anything else out there, and brings money into the community and jobs. It's a way for the farm owner to diversify, so if it's a bad year, they still have money coming in." The board will host an adjudicatory hearing online on Oct. 5 to allow Apex, board staff, and other parties to give evidence.