Wind Farm Profiteers Damaging Southeast Idaho
Five years ago the hills and mountains of Southeast Idaho were a beautiful site to see on the horizon. I remember growing up and looking towards the east seeing the sun come up over the mountains and thinking to myself what a beautiful site it was, and how lucky I was to be living in a place of such calm and beauty.
Then, a few years ago I remember seeing the white towers start appearing on top of the mountains to the east of Idaho Falls. First there were six, then ten, now there are so many I don’t even count them any more. It is a sad scar on such a beautiful part of the world.
I’m not against wind power. Wind power is a great clean source of energy. It is an alternative to water and coal power. But if it is going to be used, it can and should be done so without destroying a valuable asset like the scenic views of 100% of the citizens population.
I recently read about a new wind farm being planned for development in Bingham County. Ridgeline Energy wants to start developing the wind farm as soon as possible. If they get to place their windmills where they are currently planned, that will destroy another beautiful view so unique and valuable to Southeast Idaho.
KIDK has a picture of the planned development here: http://media.kidk.com/images/figure1-2.jpg
The money makers behind Ridgeline Energy will likely include Steve Voorhees (founder) and Dennis Meany (president).
The profiles of the individuals involved with Ridgeline Energy listed on their website (including founder, president, vice presidents, directors, etc - a total of 15 individuals) reference numerous states, including California, Vermont, New York, Texas, Minnesota, etc only two individuals indicating a connection with Idaho - one of them being a Project Manager by the name of Randy Gardner.
I can’t figure out why we let these people in to take advantage of and destroy our resources and scenery. If they don’t live here, they won’t care a lick about what the place looks like, only about making a buck.
The local government is destroying a valuable asset by allowing these wind farms to continue to develop without restricting the view of the windmills. If we don’t make some changes to how things are managed, this beautiful location we live in will continue to erode and years from now we won’t be able to recognize our own home town.
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Comments
I also like how they look (so far) and haven’t got a complaint about them, myself.
I guess if hundreds of them show up I might re-evaluate, but for now, I’m not opposed. I agree with ISU/UI Alumni, they’re a bit of a marvel to watch.
But then, I remember all the little oil setups all along the roads in California in the 60s, it was fun to watch those, too, as we sped along in the cars on our journeys.
From my place I have a pretty awesome view of the foothills to the East and South. I must admit, at first the wind turbines were pretty unsightly, but now I hardly notice them. I think their necessary to help out community with it’s energy issues and there really is no other place to put them. I think we’ll be seeing alot more them sprout out in the years to come. Perhaps they could be painted a light brown to blend more into the landscape, as opposed to bright white.
I am a big fan of wind power. I believe there is a way to set up a plan where they would not be visable from the valley. I only wish the developers and local governments would reinforce a plan that keept the view of the hills and mountains pure/fresh/natural.
If they tried to put a windfarm up in Driggs or Jackson Hole, some of the locals would have the torches and pitchforks out by now.
I believe you’re right regarding the pitchforks and torches, however, the Driggs and Jackson area is a MUCH more scenic area than around here. They’ve also got much more to loose with all the trees/forests that would have to be cut down to put these turbines in place in that area. The rest of the low lying areas around Driggs and Jackson are all farm land or residencial and I don’t see the locals giving up their land in order to install these turbines. I think our foothills were utilized becasue they were going unused. There are no trees on them, they aren’t used for cattle grazing, farming etc.
I noticed when the wind farm in Wolverine Canyon was first proposed that there was all this outcry (probably from the other nearby landowners) about how this beautiful public spot was going to be ruined. Have many of you actually driven through Wolverine Canyon? With few exceptions almost every piece of land outside the road corridor is fenced and/or posted for no trespassing. The current landowners have no problem asserting their sovereignty over their own land but as soon as somebody else wants to do the same thing with their own property its a bad thing. That’s a double standard. I agree that Wolverine Canyon is a beautiful area but I don’t see that the wind farm will hurt anything. I don’t know how people can be so concerned that we will somehow lose an asset that the majority of us don’t have to begin with.
Ted Kennedy likes wind farms, just not those that are near the Kennedy compound in Hyannis. They might effect yachting and sailing in his own backyard.
So all of those of you that hate the wind farms have some good company. However, Kennedy would probably be more than happy to have a wind farm in your backyard. Ironic? Hmmm….kind of do as I say, not as I do from good ole Uncle Ted.
Okay, anyone out there who has a moment to do the research, feel free to find a Republican who is also against having a windfarm in their area, to enlighten Mike.
You have a tendency to name only those vile Democrats, Mike…yet when we look into the big picture, we find that there are Republicans and Libertarians and Independents who also either make the same vote or hold the same views, etc.
Your affiliation colors fly high and proud, my friend! 
Well, let’s remember that Democrats make hay over Republicans family values platforms…that get violated by sex scandals (Vitter and Craig for example)….they pounce and gleefully note that if you make that a part of your platform and then work against it…..you enjoy more criticism being heaped on yourself for violating the premise of practicing what you preach. Uncle Ted is a hypocrite. He was a hypocrite at Chappaquidick too……but that is another story.
BTW–do your own research if it so important to you to “expose” Mike for his affiliation. Then we can see your affiliation for what it is too.
Anonymous #10, my affiliation is already exposed, I’m the one who wrote that crappy lame libertarian post on April 8 that bombed so badly that no one wanted to comment there.
The difference is that I take all to task equally, while I don’t see that happening for some commenters, who tend to focus only on members of one particular party.
But you’re right about one thing, I should do my own research instead of inviting others to comment…that was a lazy approach.
Mea Culpa.
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I guess I never thought of the foothills as being beautiful. It’s not like we have a wind farm on Taylor Mountain and they cut all the trees down to make room for it. To me, the foothills were raped long ago when all the natural vegetation was ripped out to make room for dry farms.
I actually enjoy the windmills as part of our new skyline. They are an engineering marvel with each one producing about one mega-watt per year by capitalizing on the fact the wind blows almost daily here in Idaho Falls. Keep in mind- this just a six year pilot farm, if it turns a profit, the entire hillside to the east will be covered with hundreds of these windmills.
In my opinion, it would be a welcome addition to our area.