Published Aug. 13, 2013, in The Ledger Independent
After more than an hour and half of discussion about the future of May’s Lick and Mason County if a proposed wind farm becomes reality, a compromise of sorts was reached between county officials and concerned citizens.
Nearly 40 May’s Lick citizens attended Tuesday’s meeting of Mason County Fiscal Court to once again voice their opposition to the project, which is centered in southwest Mason County and northwest Fleming County.
Judge-Executive James L. “Buddy” Gallenstein opened discussion by reminding the crowd that at last month’s meeting, he committed to coordinating a conference call with Duke Energy officials.
Gallenstein said everyone from the state Public Service Commission, which regulates utilities, to the branch of Duke Energy involved in developing alternative energy through wind turbines agree the project would not be regulated as a utility by the PSC. It was also noted by County Attorney John Estill recent discussions with East Kentucky Power Cooperative officials revealed the utility has not been contacted by Duke Energy about hooking up to its grid line and EKPC is in no way involved in the project.
“We need to know the scope of the project … we need to know the specifics,” Estill said to the crowd, which has been pushing for a county-wide moratorium on the project since May. During the meeting, Estill reminded commissioners and citizens more than once the fiscal court has no authority to pass a moratorium.
“I’m not going to let you do something illegal,” he said at one point.
At the heart of the discussion was how to prevent Duke Energy from making official application to the state and any other government entity to move forward with the project before setbacks and other restrictions could be established within the county.
Estill recommended allowing Duke Energy to speak at the September meeting before commissioners vote to refer the issue to the Maysville-Mason County Joint Planning Commission, which is charged with matters of zoning and planning.
He explained once the matter goes before the JPC, discussion by county commissioners would cease, Duke Energy would not attend the September meeting and formal testimony would be presented by those in favor of, or against the wind turbines at a public meeting as a matter of record, or evidence on the issue.
“I think we are poised and ready to refer it to the Joint Planning Commission,” said Estill.
Joe Pfeffer, May’s Lick resident and chairman of the Citizens Voice of Mason County spoke on behalf of the group.
“We see now the wheels may be turning,” Pfeffer said, adding answers are still needed on “how tall, how close and how come?”
He encouraged commissioners Pat McKay, Annette Walters and Phil Day, along with Gallenstein to continue research on the topic of wind turbines, beyond the realm of flicker, noise and affects on property values.
“Are these things green energy?” he asked, to which he answered, “Absolutely not.”
He said wind turbines as an alternative energy source are funded through government subsidies, with incentives of carbon credits, and some research shows wind farms produce only 2 percent of electricity.
After further discussion, Walters made a motion to put the matter before the JPC now versus waiting until September. McKay seconded the motion with a call for discussion, which was received with loud applause. McKay advised the audience not to get to excited, because he may not vote in favor of the motion after discussion.
“I’ve heard no facts from Duke Energy on this issue. I want to hear what they say … we’ve only got one side of the story,” McKay said.
