It appears to me that wind turbines will soon be built in Burt County, and our Zoning Board and County Supervisors are tasked with the duty of setting the standards for the implementation of this project. This is no small task, as these turbines are projected to be as tall as 650 feet, have a fan that could cover up to three acres if laid flat on the ground, and are supported by 770 yards of concrete and 100 tons of steel bolt cage and rebar buried underground. I obtained these figures from Byron Neal, Director of Operations at West Texas A&M University, the site of what I understand to be the first 650-foot wind turbine erected in the United States.
There are concerns and benefits to consider, and this is where we come in. We owe it to our public officials to provide them with information and questions to help them make decisions that will benefit Burt County in the long term. Some things they want to know are: If turbines are to be built, how close is too close to a non-participating landowner, school, church, or property line? What are the county's financial benefits or liabilities? Are there health concerns?
My understanding is that the State of Nebraska has made a pretty stiff commitment to renewable energy sources, so simply saying, "We don't want it," or " Yes, we do," is not helpful. Our Supervisors need genuine concerns and data to make the most effective decisions. I encourage you to write them, as one supervisor has informed me that he prefers a letter as opposed to an email or phone call because he can hold it in his hand. Their contact information is available at the website; burtcounty.ne.gov or call the office at 402/374-2955.
This decision will affect Burt County for years to come. Please plan to attend the public hearing regarding planning and zoning scheduled for the evening of July 1 at the courthouse in Tekamah.
Bill Price
Lyons, NE
