Use turbine company's standards for setbacks ~ Letter

Use turbine company's standards for setbacks

THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2009


Vestas is the world's largest wind turbine manufacturer. Its mechanical-operating and maintenance-manual safety regulations for operators and technicians tells workers not to stay within a radius of 400 meters (1,300 feet) from turbines unless necessary. Why should the residents of Cape Vincent by any less protected?

Our town supervisor, Tom Reinbeck, recommends a 500-foot setback from all roads. Tom was elected to preserve the health and well-being of the town residents. We ask that Tom reconsider the impacts to the residents and to our property values from anything less than a 1,300-foot setback. Will he take personal responsibility if one of us gets hurt or killed?

The Wind Law Committee is considering a 1,000-foot setback from paved roads and a 750-foot setback from unmaintained seasonal roads. If the Wind Law Committee recommends any less than the safety factor of 1,300 feet from all roads, residences, schools, churches and public land, perhaps they may be legally held personally responsible if one of us is hurt or killed.

Our town officials are legally and morally obligated to protect us. Do we deserve less protection than employees of the world's largest turbine manufacturing companies?

We ask Tom, the Wind Law Committee, the town board and the landowners planning to lease their land for wind turbines to consider retaining proper distances from your neighbors to assure their health and safety. It is critical to retain the sense of community and friendship that has always been an important part of life in Cape Vincent.

Carol Simpson

Cape Vincent