NO COLUMBIA WIND FARM
Why do we want to stop the Columbia Wind Project?
​
Your friends and neighbors in Columbia County have expressed many important reasons to object. Listening to the voices of residents, businesses and experts on economic impacts, health and safety concerns is vital. In a survey with local residents over 75% are opposed to the building of this wind project (see our "Local Surveys" tab). ​
​
Many people in Wisconsin, and around the world, living in the vicinity of industrial wind turbines report serious health issues. Their claims are supported by peer-reviewed studies and are reinforced by ongoing scientific research.​ Alliant Energy proposes to build turbines of a much larger scale (approximately 700 ft) than those of existing projects which are believed to be causing great hardships for our neighbors (you can read their affidavits under our "Know the FACTS" tab) - without increasing the setbacks from our homes and businesses!
It is important to fully grasp the potential impacts of this proposal on the rural character of our landscapes, the physical and mental health of our residents and their farm animals and pets, and our real estate values.
​
We all care about protecting the planet - but massive wind projects and solar fields are not the clean solutions they are sold as. “Green energy” carries its own environmental cost (e.g. rare earth mining impacts), just as fossil fuels and nuclear energy, and is scarcely a match to meet the explosive growth in electricity demand on the horizon (consider data centers). Is adding 5000+ more industrial wind turbines to our Wisconsin skylines really an answer we can live with?
Our residents and businesses have spoken - the ultimate cost to our land, our health, and our community would be unbearable!
And all over the countryside, he knew, on every crest and hill, where once the hedges had interlaced, and cottages, churches, inns, and farmhouses had nestled among their trees, wind wheels ... like vast advertisements, gaunt and distinctive symbols of the new age, cast their whirling shadows and stored incessantly the energy that flowed away incessantly through all the arteries of the city. ... The great circular shapes of complaining wind-wheels blotted out the heavens ...
​
H.G. Wells, "A Story of the Days To Come" (1897)
It’s not a question of doing the best thing for the environment — the best thing for the environment is for people to stop using vast amounts of energy.
​
Mike Hulme, Windfarm Wars, BBC2
If we waste our efforts on symbolic solutions instead of practical ones, we will create bigger problems.
​
Andrew K. Gentile, "What's the cost of banning fossil fuels?", Vt. Digger, Nov. 16, 2023
​