Wind Page
The Lempster Wind Page
Let the winds of change blow in Lempster
The following is my view…
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07/17/06 Here is a multiple-choice question. Somebody is going to come into town and spend 45 million dollars on a state of the art facility that is designed to benefit everyone. First choice: Lie down in the middle of the road and oppose it because it is bad no good and evil. The reasons for this choice are many. They could be that facility only benefit the rich, or that this facility will pollute the atmosphere with scientifically unproven things that will make our children crazy. Second choice: Tell them that yes it is a good idea, however it is such a good idea that when they are done you are going to take it over and keep for your own. Third choice: keep on asking inane questions until they go away and do not spend any money in your town. Nowhere was this a choice. You decide that, hay this may a good thing, and I want to work the developer to benefit both the developer and the town. I would have liked the fourth choice. (Tongue planted firmly in cheek) Warren
An open letter to the Selectmen of Lempster and Washington As a taxpayer for both the towns of Lempster and Washington I would like to express my humble view of the Lempster windmill review. It is my understanding that the selectmen will formally ask the State to review the Lempster wind power project. The State reviews large power projects, and the Lempster wind project is slightly smaller than the minimum size project that would be reviewed by the state. This may be by design or accident? But first why does the state review power projects? My guess is (drum roll) smokestacks. Previously power generation would imply dams, smokestacks or nuclear power. All of the methods of power generation have arguably some sort of environmental impact. So in the name of public interest the State decided to review 20 megawatt or larger installations. This is their way of saying, pardon me but is your smokestack going to stink? I am OK with that. However A new alternative arrives, an alternative that is a model of environmental friendliness. A power plant, that because of it small size, would not be required to be reviewed, even if it was a coal powered radioactive dam. I have walked amongst and touched some of the largest windmills in North America. They are stately beautiful majestic and whisper in the wind. I would be proud to have them in my community. I see wind power as part of the future. Interestingly the town of Washington even has tax incentives for wind power. Why encumber the process of positive change with an unnecessary time delaying review? To encourage greater government bureaucracy? To protect ourselves from some ill defined unknowns? Therefore I urge the selectmen of the towns of Lempster and Washington to withdraw their petition to the state of New Hampshire for a review of the Lempster wind power project. Simply said, Lempster could use some tax revenue. There are no smokestacks associated with wind power. I would hope that the selectmen could work with the developers of the wind. Warren Hurd Washington NH |
