Readers Letter - Haverhill echo
The following letter from Jacqui Burke, Secretary of Stop Wadlow Wind Farm, was published in the Haverhill Echo on 28/06/2007.
"LISA Jackson's Eco-Echo article on June 14th was typical of the ill researched and almost hysterical tone that has become common recently. Some facts that Ms Jackson does not seem to be aware of are:
- The main drive behind the current stampede for windfarms is commercial. Windfarm developers stand to make enormous profits for their shareholders as a result of taxpayers' money that is used to subsidise the electricity that they produce through the ROC system.
- Onshore windfarms in England do not generate the 30% capacity that is recommended by the British Wind Energy Association - it is simply not windy enough. Even those located off-shore and in the far North of Scotland struggle to operate at this level of efficiency. Wind turbines are a hugely inefficient technology.
- Other clean technologies operate extremely well in the UK but are less financially attractive to development companies. This includes photovoltaic panels (PV) - or solar panels to the ill informed. Contrary to Ms Jackson's claim, they do not require Mediterranean levels of sunshine to operate efficiently - they simply require daylight.
- Many people living close to windfarms experience a distressing level of noise pollution as a result of the infrasound produced. I wouldn't be surprised if this doesn't lead to health and safety claims being made against those local authorities that allow them close to residential areas in the future.
On a more personal note, Ms Jackson's smug and patronising tone and accusations of NIMBY-ism made me extremely angry. I love the English countryside where we live and will personally fight any proposed developments that threaten this important legacy for my children and grandchildren. If that makes me a NIMBY, then I am proud of that title!
Jacqui Burke
Secretary
Stop Wadlow Wind Farm"
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