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Wind turbines stir up bad feelings, health concerns in DeKal

Chicago Tribune -- Months have passed since anyone has waved hello to one another in Waterman or Shabbona in rural DeKalb County. Some people claim they've even stopped going to church to avoid having to talk to former friends.
"It's gone. The country way of living is gone," declares Susan Flex, who lives in Waterman with her husband and their nine children.
The animosity stems from the greenest of energy sources: a wind farm.

The turbines started arriving last summer, at a rate of two a day, their parts trucked in on flatbeds. Today 126 turbines dot the county, with another 19 just over the border in Lee County. They have been making enough electricity since December to power 55,000 homes, roughly twice the needs of Oak Park.

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Submitted Mar 14, 2010 By: fordmexico

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LetemEatCake Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:2,988 Points:767,880 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2010 12:04:56 AM Ignore LetemEatCake Report Abuse OMG! What a bunch of whiners and babies! my3sons, Houckster, and granma3xnow are just a few of the posters who are right on target. First, the closest is over 1/4 miles away...Big deal! Second, if you live anywhere near a freeway, you hear noise all the time...so tune it out as we do. Third, create the white noise that Houckster suggested at night. Fourth, animals of any kind are remarkably adaptive to sounds. Haven't heard how high the Db number is...bet it is well below the OSHA's threshold. Fifth, get a life, and quit dreaming of the windfall you think you will get in a lawsuit!
kelsielee Champion Author Atlanta Posts:3,389 Points:672,025 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 3:02:42 PM Ignore kelsielee Report Abuse I bet lawyers in that area are excited. Such opportunities to sue one another based on these interesting medical conditions. As others have commented, living in a city typically has far more noises on a regular basis than the wind turbines create.
LanguageMan1 Champion Author Tampa Posts:9,145 Points:1,198,235 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 4:25:58 PM Ignore LanguageMan1 Report Abuse It's a shame that crap goes on! I agree with ya my3sons, it's good for the environment and I wish they were near here. I don't see why more haven't been put up through the years. They make sense in the long run, along with solar, geothermal, nuclear, natural gas, tidal, hydrogen and others. So does drilling for more oil here in the US over the next five to 10 years as well.
my3sons Champion Author New York Posts:4,455 Points:1,506,535 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 3:23:14 PM Ignore my3sons Report Abuse it's good for the environment so get over yourselves and deal with it, wish we had it here!
Houckster Champion Author Atlanta Posts:7,795 Points:657,410 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 2:32:45 PM Ignore Houckster Report Abuse As for the sleep deprivation claim, simply running a window fan generates enough white noise to drown out a good deal of noise. I was on the night shift for years. I did alright in spite of things like the garbage truck which I could swear is audible in China. I would run the fan and/or a recording of a rain storm. I usually take a melatonin tablet too. [Edited by: Houckster at 3/14/2010 2:34:06 PM EST]
chemist74 Champion Author Cleveland Posts:12,377 Points:2,177,015 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 1:18:58 PM Ignore chemist74 Report Abuse I am highly skeptical of their claims but i will not call them liars. They do however need to prove their claims. One can measure noise versus frequency with scientific instruments to show if it is louder/different that other common neighborhood noises like freeways. Wind blowing through trees can cause light flick so they need to show how this is different that the wind turbine flicker.
RogerB Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:15,237 Points:2,163,045 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 12:39:51 PM Ignore RogerB Report Abuse But such windfalls haven't assuaged people who claim the turbines have harmed their health. They say noise from turbines is disrupting sleep, and they blame the strobe-like flashes produced by the whirling blades in sunlight — "shadow flicker" — for everything from vertigo to migraine headaches. A group of 36 people who live near the turbines has sued DeKalb County and 75 landowners who leased land for the turbines. They claim the county illegally granted zoning variances and want the turbines taken down. NextEra is seeking to dismiss the suit based on "vague allegations of hypothetical harms."
Art48 Champion Author Sacramento Posts:2,586 Points:96,255 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 12:36:39 PM Ignore Art48 Report Abuse The nearest turbine to a home is 1430 feet away, .36 mile. The freeways around here are less than 100 ft away, more like 50, and they make far more noise. Then there are the houses at the beach with the constant pounding of the surf, and what about people that used to live in manufacturing towns with the constant noise from the machinery, and the whistles ending shifts? And then there is big city life with all it's noise and light pollution. It's a bunch of BS.
Houckster Champion Author Atlanta Posts:7,795 Points:657,410 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 12:27:41 PM Ignore Houckster Report Abuse KYRUNNER writes: My dear comrades! Remember we are in a new phase of America where the collective is always best according to our new leaders. Get used to it! When your goal is to fundamentally change American the individual be damned. Sorry to see the once great and liberty loving America go away so quickly. ____ My we do attract some fringe opinions around here. We have a free enterprise initiative that may have some problems and this "thinker" is trying to paint this as a socialistic ploy by "our new leaders". Who'da thought?
fedex09 All-Star Author Missouri Posts:626 Points:686,380 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 11:47:56 AM Ignore fedex09 Report Abuse The needs of the many out weigh the few.
granma3xnow Champion Author Indiana Posts:1,998 Points:410,675 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 11:42:58 AM Ignore granma3xnow Report Abuse Well we can't have it both ways. Surprising that folks would rather their children breathe smog. Perhaps some of the stress of having the wind turbines around is causing some of the medical problems. My sister raises goats, and it seems that when they go, they go in groups. Get sunglasses for glare. Its the wave of the future.
ronsimonil All-Star Author Texas Posts:734 Points:157,975 Joined:Mar 2009	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 11:42:09 AM Ignore ronsimonil Report Abuse I live in an area where are there are lot of them within 65 miles of this area. There are some arguments but they are minor. Most wish the power was being used right in this area.
wegman Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:5,496 Points:1,628,610 Joined:Jun 2001	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 11:40:17 AM Ignore wegman Report Abuse "I says nothing doing," recalled Ken Ehrhart, who raises soybeans, wheat and corn. "We're not the highfliers for all the modern ideas." I think that sums it up. Wind turbines are best away from people. BUT the further in the middle of no where, the more new power lines you need and the more lawyers you have to hire because all sorts of nuts will higher lawyers to keep power lines from being strung up. In Minnesota, we have Green groups paying lawyers to keep power lines for wind farms from being built. NIMBY is a big idea. But, as someone who has spent almost all of my life in big cities (and five years on warships), often in the flight pattern of a major airport, I tell some of these folks welcome to the 21st Century. (From the 19th, you skipped one). Would I want to live close to one of these monsters - in a word - NO. But half a mile a way - I doubt if it is that bad. Modern marvels like electricity, TV, modern medicine, the internet, fertilizer (as opposed to dung) have a cost - the cost is worth it.
toadNY Champion Author Albany Posts:4,563 Points:1,047,525 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 11:36:49 AM Ignore toadNY Report Abuse I deliver in the Altona & Ellenburg NY area, wind turbines there, I dont hear them, but in a diesel truck with the radio on well, But its a lot of farm country and its only been a few years.
TXGasPriceSpy Champion Author Fort Worth Posts:5,324 Points:1,010,350 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 11:36:20 AM Ignore TXGasPriceSpy Report Abuse I like the idea of wind power. However, the turbines should be placed in a rural area as not to disturb homeowners.
HailstormCA Champion Author San Diego Posts:5,856 Points:1,074,775 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 11:35:28 AM Ignore HailstormCA Report Abuse And I hate being next to an airport!
MidNJ Champion Author New Jersey Posts:4,628 Points:739,645 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 11:33:54 AM Ignore MidNJ Report Abuse One additional thought, producing twice the energy that the community needs means a considerable amount of money is being made from the project. If planned properly this cash surplus should go to reducing property taxes in the area. If so maybe in this age of tax protesters they should stop complaining.
vizilo Champion Author British Columbia Posts:4,468 Points:2,338,920 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 11:32:58 AM Ignore vizilo Report Abuse Ugly, noisy and expensive
Chris46 Champion Author Dayton Posts:17,140 Points:1,673,495 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 11:32:22 AM Ignore Chris46 Report Abuse Some people just have to vent about every little thing. There is a solution. People have been doing it for years. If you don't like where you're living, move.
repeater1 Champion Author Topeka Posts:6,043 Points:1,914,545 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 11:30:47 AM Ignore repeater1 Report Abuse Whatever is new is going to upset some of the population. We all want new technologies, just not in our back yards.
karmadrome Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:1,290 Points:417,855 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 11:30:44 AM Ignore karmadrome Report Abuse Oh please, I went to school there. That place is all but a ghost town when school's out. I remember bitching about falling revenues, as the place is deserted even on the weekends during the school season. They complained about the college kids too, until summer hits, then it was complaining about the lack of business. Now they have a revenue source and they're still bitching? Can't have it both ways. [Edited by: karmadrome at 3/14/2010 11:33:59 AM EST]
MidNJ Champion Author New Jersey Posts:4,628 Points:739,645 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 11:28:00 AM Ignore MidNJ Report Abuse Having driven across the USA about 10 times on different routes, there are expanses of space with not a person living within miles. This would be an ideal area for wind and solar farms. I have also seen turbines on the tops of mountains and unlivable marsh lands around the ocean. I also agree with many of the comments. Would the community trade the windfarm for a coal (or nuclear) power plant? Reality is we need energy and the means to produce it has to go somewhere.
kyrunner Champion Author Lexington Posts:6,595 Points:1,233,165 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 11:27:58 AM Ignore kyrunner Report Abuse My dear comrades! Remember we are in a new phase of America where the collective is always best according to our new leaders. Get used to it! When your goal is to fundamentally change American the individual be damned. Sorry to see the once great and liberty loving America go away so quickly.
DirtDauber Champion Author San Antonio Posts:4,415 Points:1,162,350 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 11:27:47 AM Ignore DirtDauber Report Abuse More NIMBYism.
doncNJ Champion Author New Jersey Posts:5,194 Points:1,044,170 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 11:27:41 AM Ignore doncNJ Report Abuse Everything is a problem to someone. I like these wind machines that are not using oil or gas to generate electricity.
Ticoman54 Champion Author Miami Posts:4,950 Points:1,058,075 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 11:27:12 AM Ignore Ticoman54 Report Abuse Well said Houckster.
Doubleeez Champion Author Connecticut Posts:5,080 Points:908,695 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 11:25:23 AM Ignore Doubleeez Report Abuse Complaints will get them nowhere.
WonderfulMI Champion Author Michigan Posts:9,029 Points:1,321,855 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 11:23:19 AM Ignore WonderfulMI Report Abuse When these people bought their homes, wind turbines were not thought of. I would be opposed to development by my house too, and I am in favor of alternative energy. I would not want someone to build a coal fired power plant next door, or a oil well, or any commercial development. My neighborhood is zoned for single family residential.
Toppers Champion Author Atlanta Posts:6,673 Points:2,007,225 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 11:23:11 AM Ignore Toppers Report Abuse Can't believe that's a problem...
CPayZombie Champion Author Phoenix Posts:7,079 Points:1,189,090 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 11:19:16 AM Ignore CPayZombie Report Abuse The Dutch have had windmills for centuries. What health issues?
jpd683 Champion Author Scranton Posts:3,376 Points:1,403,820 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 11:07:39 AM Ignore jpd683 Report Abuse The area I live in PA , Wayne County has a big wind farm. They are very noisy when turning. This area does not have any homes near it. I would not care about some noise if it lowers my engery costs. If4 it helps us get off depending on other countrys .
nurdco Champion Author Colorado Springs Posts:6,598 Points:1,228,485 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 11:05:49 AM Ignore nurdco Report Abuse What health concern worse than Fumes from a Fossil plant?
ILANGE9 Champion Author Illinois Posts:5,195 Points:1,132,725 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 11:05:17 AM Ignore ILANGE9 Report Abuse I agree with Houckster.
NMRawker All-Star Author New Mexico Posts:583 Points:105,170 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 11:02:59 AM Ignore NMRawker Report Abuse They should really consider putting them in and around Southern New Mexico. They would generate a ton of energy from our winds, especailly during the spring and early summer months when it's windy as hell around here.
Houckster Champion Author Atlanta Posts:7,795 Points:657,410 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 10:57:15 AM Ignore Houckster Report Abuse The comments here sure don't sound right. This is America and people have the right to speak out if they're being hurt. How do we know their claims are not legitimate? Maybe the wind turbines have been poorly sited. In our zeal for renewable energy, which I support (including wind turbines), we have to plan carefully so we don't create new problems while solving others.
DerHahn Champion Author Illinois Posts:11,150 Points:1,654,200 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 10:54:28 AM Ignore DerHahn Report Abuse people here want the wind power, but all become nimby's when built near where they live.
dopster Champion Author Toledo Posts:4,784 Points:1,825,650 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 10:36:00 AM Ignore dopster Report Abuse I don't understand health concerns over harnessing wind power. We've been using the windmill concept for centuries, all over the world, with no problems. This is really a NIMBY mind set. Do they really prefer the black smoke emitted from coal fired power plants? These "country people" are sometimes the same transplanted "city folks" who put farmers out of business, because they didn't like the "farm smell".
goalie1950 Champion Author Phoenix Posts:4,049 Points:830,345 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 10:34:40 AM Ignore goalie1950 Report Abuse Change brings with it the need for compromise. Obviously these people in these Ilinois counties have not come to this realization as of yet.
bills55 Champion Author San Diego Posts:2,207 Points:513,955 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 10:21:02 AM Ignore bills55 Report Abuse Change is good, except when it comes to your nieghborhood. I wonder if they complained when they paved to roads in thier town.
Beau2140 Champion Author New York Posts:5,941 Points:1,191,235 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 10:11:19 AM Ignore Beau2140 Report Abuse People fighting change.
rbrowdersr Champion Author Detroit Posts:4,197 Points:1,406,705 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 9:40:07 AM Ignore rbrowdersr Report Abuse People will find problems in any technology.
raleightom All-Star Author Raleigh Posts:765 Points:215,710 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 9:33:31 AM Ignore raleightom Report Abuse Proper management would have prevented this. Too bad because this will be used to discourage wind farms elsewhere. On the good side, this is a great example of what can happen if idiots are allowed to control things.
OriginalBudman Champion Author Barrie Posts:8,638 Points:1,783,550 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 9:26:54 AM Ignore OriginalBudman Report Abuse Oh wah wah! Give me a break!
Houckster Champion Author Atlanta Posts:7,795 Points:657,410 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 9:20:42 AM Ignore Houckster Report Abuse FOXT writes: And God forbid, put those turbines on public land or maybe even in national parks! Environmentalists would be in court to block that move right away! ____ More silliness! There is a place for everything. The national parks are not usually a good place for what amounts to a commercial enterprise.
Zinnoil Champion Author Florida Posts:18,901 Points:2,139,725 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 9:18:04 AM Ignore Zinnoil Report Abuse These huge turbines are a disaster.
VWC Veteran Author Maryland Posts:450 Points:730,490 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 9:17:14 AM Ignore VWC Report Abuse Sounded like legitimate complains. Those who don't live near wind farms shouldn't so readily discount their complains.
Houckster Champion Author Atlanta Posts:7,795 Points:657,410 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 9:17:08 AM Ignore Houckster Report Abuse PND1 writes: Environmentalists want "clean energy" but just not in their own backyard. Sounds like Al Gore. Do as I say, not as I do. ____ There doesn't seem to be any concern for being fair in this statement. In fact it appears that PND1 is bending the facts so he can get in a cheap dig at environmentalists and Al Gore. Quit wasting our time. The people who are complaining are not environmentalists. They didn't ask for the wind farms and didn't have any say when they were installed. And they didn't know about any problems the wind farms might be cause. I'm an environmentalist and I'm not willing to just dismiss their concerns just because I support wind farms. We're talking about people's lives and their homes. Hopefully, the answers will be found. Apparently there is much to learn about siting wind farms. [Edited by: Houckster at 3/14/2010 9:18:09 AM EST]
abuck Champion Author Pittsburgh Posts:6,251 Points:1,077,830 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 9:16:10 AM Ignore abuck Report Abuse someone will always complain about something....
Hangnail309 Champion Author Manitoba Posts:3,797 Points:1,231,630 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 9:15:20 AM Ignore Hangnail309 Report Abuse Not everyone cannot be pleased ...
mk9999 Champion Author Rochester Posts:5,558 Points:1,207,920 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 9:15:06 AM Ignore mk9999 Report Abuse We need a lot more wind power in this country.