Where is the North East Township Wind Turbine Zone?

North East township wind turbine zone, the shaded areas allow wind turbines, future projects may lead to expansion beyond these areas as other developers move in – click to enlarge

If you’re unclear where wind turbines are planned, it most likely means no one has contacted you and asked you to sign a lease. Unless you have attended a township meeting or gone out of your way to obtain one of these maps (shown above), you probably think they’re planned for somewhere near Interstate 90. That’s true, but it extends for quite a distance. There has been no particular effort to inform the public beyond making copies available at the township office, it has been up to you to track down this information, so we thought it would be a good idea to show you the current area that will be zoned “WE” or Wind Energy.

Interesting question: Who drew up these boundaries and why wasn’t it done with public input? The location of wind turbines can have a dramatic financial impact on residents of the township. Some will benefit from payments, some will suffer loss of property value, everyone will have to look at these turbines, this entire process must be done in the open with active public participation, yet this map was presented to the township residents already complete.

It’s important to note, there is no guarantee this will be the only wind turbine area, it could expand from the current boundaries, all the way down to the shores of Lake Erie. The wind is actually better as you get closer to the lake. If these turbines are allowed to be built, you can be sure more developers will be looking at all of the remaining land within the township. Other residents looking to cash in, will begin asking, “If they can do it, why can’t I?” For township supervisors, it will be hard to say no.

Developers are already very active and leases are being signed in areas beyond North East township, especially, Greenfield township directly to the south. The turbine developers are trying to build a huge wind turbine complex in eastern Erie County and will be working to extend it westward into Harborcreek and beyond. This isn’t a one time project in one area by one developer, this is a big push to put them throughout the county. Current tax incentives for “green energy” are creating a land rush with developers trying to lease as much land as possible before the money runs out.

There is no benefit to township residents beyond those who will be directly paid, the only thing the rest of us get is a landscape littered with giant 500 foot tall, utility scale wind turbines. There is no careful planning to this, it’s a mad scramble for dollars.

Township residents deserve better. These turbines should be stopped. Whatever imagined benefits some people believe may exist, there are better ways to accomplish the same thing, ways that will benefit everyone in the township, not just a select few.

Follow this website to learn more and call or email your township supervisors and make your opinions known. (Contact information is on the right) It’s our community, it’s up to us.