Wind turbine opponent seeks ‘conflict of interest’ statements

Whitman county officials say they see no need to respond to a request by Carolyn Kiesz of Thornton to publicly swear they do not stand to benefit from a wind farm.

“She’s bringing up the same thing, over and over again,” said County Commissioner Greg Partch. “I have no problem stating that I have no personal gain from wind energy.”

Kiesz formally last week requested county commissioners provide sworn statements on whether or not they would have a conflict of interest in development of wind farms in the county.

“This was something she was trying to pin down on good people that live in the county,” said Partch, referring to the members of the volunteer planning commission. “If any of them were, they certainly would have excused themselves from the hearings. These are all very thoughtful, very diligent people.”

Kiesz sent similar requests to County Planner Alan Thomson and members of the planning commission July 7.

“I’m not legally obligated to respond,” said Thompson. “But I will say I do not own land out in the county that is going to be developed by wind companies.”

Kiesz was one of the residents who unsuccessfully challenged passage of the county’s new commercial wind turbine ordinance in court.

She said she was seeking the statements to “dispel any potential semblance of impropriety or conflict of interest.”

“The statement should advise whether you and/or any relative own land in Whitman County that might be leased for the siting of a wind farm,” the letters states.

She added a failure to respond would “suggest” the presence of a conflict of interest and that legal action would be pursued if no response is made.

“There is no legal effect if the recipients of the letter choose not to respond to the letter, or choose not to respond in the manner in which she has laid out,” said Prosecutor Denis Tracy.

Her letter to the commissions noted she had previously made the request by e-mail. The letter to the planning commissioners and the planner said her husband, Rick, asked the “conflict of interest” question in an open meeting on wind turbine zoning last year and has yet to receive a response.

That question was made during a September public hearing.

Steve Naught of St. John, a member of the planning commission at the time, vehemently answered “no” to Rick Kiesz’s question.

“I am tired of the accusations and insinuations that anyone here is in the tank with these companies,” Naught said at that hearing. “None of us are profiting on this. I would stake my reputation on it.”