Shooting the breeze about wind energy

Eleven tables lined the walls of the Reynolds Elementary School gymnasium in Reading, Mich. They had informational brochures, packets full of bulletin points and a video showing workers hurrying to construct a wind turbine. But it wasn't 350 students who were instructed on the potential benefits wind energy — it was Reading residents.
Recently, Reading township passed a controversial ordinance accelerating the possibility of wind turbines being built within the area. While some are in favor of the construction, others aren't, claiming the turbines are detrimental to both property and health.
Duke Energy, a company planning to build turbines in the area, held an open house last Saturday in order to alleviate concerns.
"I don't feel like I was getting the straight answer," Gretchen Oberdick said, who came to the event with several other friends and compared notes.
She said they were all getting different answers. Oberdick, who's the secretary for the Reading Planning Commission, also helps with a website, savereading.org, which opposes wind turbines in Reading township.
She's concerned about the turbines interfering with broadcast signals, which, she said, has been documented by the National Broadcast Society and the Michigan Broadcast Society.
She's also concerned that some FAA maps she brought on wind energy being considered bogus by representatives, she said.
Al Slusher, a local farmer, leased his land to Duke Energy two years ago. He believes the project will bring more revenue to the area. He's not convinced of potential health problems because he's dealt with turbines before.
"Several people said they're noisy," Slusher said. "I don't think you could whisper low enough to make as much noise as they do. They talked about health problems, but I'm sure these cell phones they put up to their ear cause more problems."
Milton Howard, vice president of wind development at Duke Energy, said if the project does go forward, land owners, especially farmers, will receive money from tax revenues.
"Farmers want this to happen," Howard said. "If they have a bad year, they don't have anything to lean on."
Duke Energy spokesman Greg Efthimiou said the open house would provide the opportunity for residents to ask questions about wind energy in Hillsdale County.
"I'd say about 90 percent of the people here are positive about the wind turbines," he said "I think about 5 percent are still concerned, and the other five are very concerned."
Reading Resident Bill Moyer said he favors wind energy because it's the only other resource Hillsdale has besides Hillsdale College. His wife Sandy Moyer said she was a bit more skeptical of wind energy.
Tom Galloway was one of the first Reading residents to be involved with the Hillsdale Windpower Project. Duke Energy called Galloway two-and-a-half years ago asking permission to place a meteorological tower on his property. He was in Iowa when they called. He said yes.
"If nothing more, it'll generate a little excitement in the area," Galloway said. "I call it the ‘neat factor.'"
Galloway said he believes it's a good opportunity and use of land.
Howard said the company has acquired about 9,000 acres of lease land agreements in Allen, Cambria and Camden township and hopes to gain 3,000 more for buffering space.
Overall, he said the open house was a success, allowing residents to become more informed.
"The more we can communicate, the better," he said.