I have lived in the Cross area of Mineral County for my entire life and have done so because of the peace and quiet of the area.
However, over the past months, things have changed, and the reason is the windmills on the mountain across from my home. The windmills cause an extremely loud disturbance to the point of lying down at night to have a good nights sleep is impossible.
I recently attended a Mineral County Commission meeting, hoping the commissioners could help the Cross residents with the noise from the windmills.
The three commissioners showed no interest in helping with this problem. One in particular spoke to a relative and said, “You wanted the windmills, now live with them.”
I personally did not want the windmills in the county. Prior to the approval of the windmill project, I do not remember hearing anything or reading reports concerning how much noise would be produced by the windmills.
I can verify there is noise from the windmills, and it has ruined my way of life in my home and on my property.
For those living near railroad tracks, there is the noise of passing trains By comparison, the noise from the windmills is like having a train come through the middle of my house for seven or eight hours straight
On another comparison, the smell emitted by the former West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company was one to be tolerated. Those living in the Tri-Towns did tolerate the smell because the unpleasant odor from the company sent paychecks to many homes in the Tri-Towns. That odor provided a living for the families.
What my family eats or our type of housing does not depend on Edison Mission, the owners of the Pinnacle Wind Farm, so there is no reason for me to tolerate the noise from the windmills.
Dave Friend and Jim Cookman, top people of US Wind Force, the developers of the wind farm, visited in this area to gain support for the windmills.
They were contacted about the noise factor and their response is that it is now a problem of Edison Mission. If that is the case, why do they continue to be the spokespeople for the windmills at the advisory meetings?
Then on the subject of the windmills creating a green energy environment for the area, the comment I have is the only thing green the developers and owners are interested In the kind they fold and put in their pockets.
I was told by Edison Mission that they knew the Mitsubishi wind turbines were a lot louder then the ones that are normally used. Surely, there were noise studies conducted prior to building the windmills on the Pinnacle, but the company installed them anyway.
I feel like the county commissioners should not have allowed US Wind Force to place those noisy wind turbines so near to private homes. They and the Public Service Commission have ruined the lives of those residing near the Pinnacle Wind Farm.
I was told the windmills would shutdown during the night until a way was found to correct the noise. This has not happened. I understand additional wind farms could be built in Mineral County.
Those that may live near to them are in for a real treat. They should get all the sleep they can now, because you will not be able to if any future windmills are built close to your house.
With a situation like this, causing disruption and unsettling problem with the quality of life, something must be done.
Gary Braithwaite
Keyser, W.Va.
