About
Projects in Lincoln County, Oklahoma
Why We Oppose Industrial Wind Turbine (IWT) and Green Energy
Our Beliefs and Concerns are based on research and/or experiences expressed by industrial wind turbine (wind farm) populaces from other locations. The proposed projects by industrial wind turbine companies are not appropriate for Lincoln County because of the following concerns:
1. Infringement of Property Rights: The “unsafe zone” around industrial wind turbines (IWTs) will encroach on non-participating neighbors’ properties. Current project setback distances from IWTs to homes are unsafe. An ordinance should be implemented as NO laws exist to protect property and homeowners in Oklahoma. The uncompensated designation of land as “safety easements” for an IWT company infringes on the property rights of non-participating landowners. Property owners pay for their property, pay the property taxes on that land, and inherently have the right to use their own property safely. Studies reflect that IWT sites negatively impact property values.
2. Insufficient Setbacks: Lincoln County is too populated. An absence of state laws regulating IWTs results in no protection for ALL Oklahomans. Cases of blade failure report that distances in the “blade throw zone” (unsafe zone) greatly exceed manufacturer recommended minimum setback distances. For projects in Lincoln County the IWT setbacks which companies adhere to are estimated to be as little as 673 feet. Manufacturer setback formulas are based on IWT heights. Minimum setback distances from IWTs may be prohibitive for future building sites, farming, ranching, or land development.
3. Unjust Monetary Compensation: The monetary amounts presented to landowners from IWT companies are based on a turbine operating at maximum efficiency and the company being able to sell the electricity produced at a premium rate throughout the year. There are many variables at play in our area that make it extremely hard for IWTs to achieve this. Therefore, monetary compensation values presented to landowners are not accurate.
4. Unrealistic Job Estimates: Many developers hire and use contracted crews outside of the project area. Therefore, it will not provide the reported ≈200 job opportunities to the community. It is estimated IWT projects only employ ≈5-10 (or less) permanent full-time positions for the area.
5. Nuisance: Increased noise levels, measured by decibels, near an IWT have caused residents’ families, and the elderly chronic sleep loss, headaches, tinnitus, vertigo and additional cited negative health impacts. Many residents will also experience the nuisance of “shadow flicker effect” from blade rotation for which there is not protection by law or ordinance in Oklahoma. Constant blinking lights at night in and around their homes are also a nuisance. The above items are reported to diminish quality of life for residents near IWT sites.
6. Aircraft & Fire Safety: The safety of private pilots and agriculture applicator aviators are compromised by the presence of IWT’s. The ability of rescue helicopters to reach accident victims in the project area would also be diminished by IWT sites. Helicopter pilots deployed by local and state agencies to provide aerial fire suppression through “water drops” (for firefighting) are also compromised. Our invasive cedar tree population and native grasses cause an additional wildfire risk that would not be supported by such aerial efforts.
7. Weather Radars: IWT sites interfere with weather radar. Accurate forecasting is of utmost importance to Oklahomans due to the devastating impacts of tornadic winds. The weather radar data can appear inconclusive and confusing for meteorologists and contaminate radar data over an IWT site thus impeding life-saving warnings from meteorologists and news outlets for those in the path of a tornado.
8. Environmental Impact: After decommissioning, IWT blades are buried in landfills and abandoned mines. PFAS (forever chemicals), BPA and toxic components in the blades then degrade and pollute the ground water. IWT blades are not currently recyclable. IWTs will degrade irreplaceable farm land and topsoil. After decommissioning, large amounts of concrete and rebar will be left in the ground. Decommissioning IWTs typically involves removing up to a maximum depth of 30-36 inches of concrete leaving concrete 6-9 ft deep and 60-70 feet in diameter in the ground for EACH of the 88-100 turbines.
9. Pollution of Water Supply and the Garber-Wellington Aquifer: A portion of Lincoln County’s water supply comes from the Garber-Wellington aquifer. Chatham-Kent, Ontario has similar water qualities to the Garber-Wellington aquifer such as arsenic and uranium pockets. The vibrations from IWT projects in Ontario caused some damage to water wells and water became turbid (cloudy with suspended particles). For this reason, we are concerned and we affirm that access to clean, safe, drinkable water for families and livestock cannot be compromised.
10. Wildlife and Ecosystem: IWT sites are harmful to large populations of birds and bats. Protected and endangered species are most at risk. Decreases in bird and bat population will increase insects and pests detrimental to agricultural production in the county. IWT sites have a negative impact on our growing American Bald and Golden Eagle population specific to Lincoln County conservation efforts by the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma‘s Grey Snow Eagle House. Their mission “…is to be the leader in eagle conservation. Through rehabilitation, education, research, and providing sanctuary to permanently injured eagles, we continue to preserve this culturally important species for future generations.”
11. Recreation and Tourism: Hunting and fishing opportunities may be disrupted due to the sound and vibration (infrasound) from IWTs that are known to drive away wildlife. Lincoln county outfits hunting excursions and hosts a number of hunting leases that would be negatively impacted.
12. Dairies: There are serious concerns regarding stray voltage and infrasound from IWTs negatively impacting livestock including documented cases of stillbirth and reduced milk production in dairy cows. We are home to dairies and livestock production in Lincoln County. We are concerned for the impact and harm by these projects as many IWT projects spread to neighboring counties. Oklahoma’s food and milk production faces significant risk from PFAS and BPA contamination from IWT microplastics released as the IWT blades erode. We are committed to informing dairies, ranchers and farmers of the posed risks.
Our Landscape, Our Legacy
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