03/20/2022
A much avoided topic by the wind industry is the concerns over safety and health issues surrounding the location and siting of wind turbines. Current setbacks are inadequate to prevent hazards from spilling over to adjacent properties. And, if the towers collapse, which they do, woe be it to anyone nearby. In addition, turbine blades do fail from time to time and the disintegrating parts can be thrown quite some distance from the turbine site.
The picture of the tower collapse is from a turbine failure in New Brunswick; this one fell on public land, right over pathways used by people. The company learned that all 50 foundations are flawed and must be replaced at the cost of hundreds of millions. Obviously, setbacks were not adequate for safety.
And, recently in Oklahoma, a wind facility was forced to remove turbines that were a safety hazard. See this article:
https://heartlanddailynews.com/2022/02/oklahoma-wind-facility-forced-to-remove-or-repair-turbines/
I heard a number of bills in committee this session on setting health and safety standards for turbines sited in Kansas. I had experts come testify, and days of hearings. But, I ran into fierce opposition when I tried to protect rural residents who live near these facilities. It is frustrating to me that we often do not listen to the people most directly impacted by these massive structures...but will listen to someone who gives every reason under the sun (plausible or not) about why we can't set some statewide standards to protect our residents.
I know that many of you do not live around one of these and are likely not aware of the hazards. But, I will suggest this. At some point in your life you may come across a situation where you have a problem that nobody but you cares about. When confronted with that situation you suddenly realize how many people are unwilling to understand your issue unless it directly impacts them. That is what is happening to many rural Kansans now...and a situation I have been trying to rectify. And, with more wind and solar projects coming to most counties across this state...the chances you will be impacted are growing. Indirectly, you already are in your electrical bills.
If it's not in your backyard...it does not mean it might never affect you! Please read up on this stuff. It's not green, it's not affordable, it's not reliable, and it can be dangerous.
