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Patriot
Mazeppa, MN
Posted on 11/2/2009 at 11:24:58 AM
It’s their property to develope as they please. If they are not taking someone elses constitutional rights, then it cannot be stopped. Not wanting it is no reason at all. We haven’t the right to vote on someone elses property.
Ripper
SE, MN
Posted on 11/4/2009 at 7:10:12 AM
They like to have meetings at odd hours so there are few people there so their agenda can be talked about and sent on its merry way without anyone saying anything about it. Ya, you do have something to say about what your neighbor wants to develope on his land. Just try to get a feedlot, or a hog operation started. Too many factors to consider. As for a single wind generator, good luck. The money it will cost vs the savings, just arn’t there, thats why you see them altogether. I hope the guy has deep pockets, for the cost of the equipment alone is very expensive, then to have it constructed, will not be cheap either. Now if it is a small one that is used for just that persons own use, which probably is only 30 foot tall vs those monsters you see along I-90 then that may be another issue.
Atilla
Rochester, Mn
Posted on 11/4/2009 at 7:22:27 AM
Didn’t the Kennedy’s “weigh in” on windmills in Cape Cod?
The Kennedy weigh in was:
“Not in my back yard!!!”
rekcabeni
l
Rochester, mn
Posted on 11/4/2009 at 7:41:34 AM
The “not in my backyard” is not a valid argument. The problem with a person proposing something that another person may not want is simple. As long as the ordinances and zoning in place allow for something such as a windmill, then the planning commission and the County Board do not have a valid reason for rejecting it. This gives the landowner prime opportunity to sue in which everyone will lose and the lawyers will only get richer. The democratic process is subject to the laws on the books, and not to the cries of everyone close by. Its unfortunate that those who shout the loudest don’t seem to be heard, but that’s the system in place. You don’t have to like it and you have every opportunity to change it. Go to your planning commission or your county board and get the process started that will write an ordinance to keep them out of certain areas or certain zoning districts. No, its not a simple process and will take time, but its better than whining about the neighbor who is within his rights to construct something like this if no ordinances are being broken.
Patriot
Mazeppa, MN
Posted on 11/4/2009 at 7:44:36 AM
I personally believe windmills are a joke. Heck, we don’t even know how many years it would take to displace the carbon used for installation. The fact remains, that it’s no ones business but the property owner. It sounds like a bunch of jealous NIMBYs to me.
dimpleche
eks
Rochester, MN
Posted on 11/4/2009 at 2:53:56 PM
“The siting of the “farms” needs to be carefully developed.”
All farms, Carol and Jim?
Or just the farms YOU don’t like to look at.
OnlyTheTr
uth
MN, MN
Posted on 11/7/2009 at 2:41:33 PM
The begging question is- “How big is this wind turbine?”
Is it a small one that many farmers have and use the “net metering” rate (utility accepts all electricity produced)? This would be 40kw or less.
Or, is it one big industrial turbine (1-2mw)?
With that, the landowner would have to negotiate with the utility daily on what the promised generation will be. If the landowner comes up short, he/she will have to make up the difference by paying a spot market price.
Correct me if I’m wrong.
http://www.awea.org/smallwind/minnesota_sw.html

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