Wind turbines threaten Palouse 'paradise'

By Teresa Simpson

Gazette Reporter

Colfax — County residents, farmers and landowners concerned about proposed wind turbines near Kamiak Butte filled Colfax Golf Course Clubhouse Wednesday, March 13, to organized opposition.

“What we need to do is get focused and organized,” resident Dan Lenssen said, opening the meeting.

The meeting stems from recent efforts by corporations to secure wind turbine leases on farm land surrounding Kamiak Butte, which has been designated a Natural National Landmark. The project, dubbed Harvest Hills Wind, is being scouted by Steelhead Americas, which is contacting landowners south of state Highway 272 and along Clear Creek Road.

Steelhead Americas is a subsidiary of Vestas American Wind Technology, a national corporation with offices in Portland, Ore., and Boston, Mass.

During the meeting, speakers voiced concerns about how the proposed wind turbine project would effect the area.

Resident Jack Lien said he lives 6 miles outside of Colfax on State Highway 272, in the midst of the proposed site for turbine construction.

Lien had several handouts for the group, citing concerns with the turbines.

“I think there are some questions that all of us need to ask,” Lien said, referencing a handout on transparency.

“We need to ask the county commissioners if they have plans, or if they know of plans for future wind generators coming into the county,” he said, adding residents also need to know if county Planning Department employees, Port of Whitman County officials or county commissioners endorse the wind turbines.

“If they endorse these, will they provide their rational of why they need them,” he asked.

Lien also referenced County Code 19.61, “Commercial Wind Energy Facilities,” which established wind energy rules for Whitman County.

“Who drafted that county code?” Lien asked, “Did they have any assistance from the wind companies?”

Lien referenced the code’s purpose, saying one of his biggest concerns is setbacks, or wind turbines effecting the health of those who live around them.

“Purpose. The following standards and regulations are necessary for health, safety, and general welfare and convenience of the inhabitants of the County,” states Section A of County Code Chapter 19.61.20.

“I don’t understand any of that, that makes no sense to me,” Lien said.

Lien cited studies that reported those living near wind turbines experience headache, painful ear pressure, dizziness, weakness, tachycardia, tinnitus, nausea, nosebleeds and insomnia.

Figures, aesthetics

According to the Harvest Hills Wind Project site the project is estimated to bring $40 million in total tax revenue over the projected 30-year life of the project.

Kamiak Butte-area resident Shane Riebold compared the numbers of the Palouse Wind Farm.

According to public records for property tax paid into the Oakesdale community, Rieblold said tax revenues were $816,000 in 2014, $1.1 million in 2015, $976,000 in 2017, $1 million in 2018, $855,000 in 2020, $889,000 in 2021, $819,000 in 2022 and $821,000 in 2023.

“Harvest Hills Wind will bring a new source of income that passes economic benefits to all parts of the community,” Harvest Hills website said.

Lien responded that, as a photography tour guide, the change in landscape could mean revenue lost from tourists and photographers.

“They bring in a lot of money,” Lien said. “And if they put these out here, we’re going to lose them.”

In June 1982, National Geographic published a story describing “A Paradise Called the Palouse,” after exploring the region, he said, noting the magazine describe the Palouse as the “Tuscany of North America.”

Photo-tourism

He noted tourism lodging brings in an estimated $6.75 million annually; an estimated 9,000 photographers come here every year.

“The figures are derived from a conservative estimate of 9,000 photographers, but the actual estimate is over 10,000,” Lien said on his handout.

According to Lien, over a 30- year period, tourism brings in an estimated $67.5 million to restaurants, or $2.25 million per year.

“When I take the photographers around, I take them to the St. John cafe,” Lien said, adding photographers bring business to all the small towns here, including Tekoa, Palouse and Uniontown.

Photographers and tourists come from all around the world to experience the Palouse and Kamiak Butte, including Australia, New Zealand, Iceland, and even four who came from Israel last year, he said.

“If the commercial wind facilities are allowed to be erected on the hillside of what is called the ‘Tuscany of North America,’ photographers will stop coming,” he said, adding that it could result in the loss of millions of dollars and a lot of jobs.

County code Chapter 19.61 establishes the process for a wind turbine development.

“The project applicant will hold a minimum of one informal community meeting within the county to inform the public about the proposed facility. Planning staff will take responsibility for arranging these meetings,” according to Chapter 19.61.020 Section C.

So far, county officials have said there aren’t any current applications or permits pending for Harvest Hills Wind.

Whitman County Planner Alan Thompson said applications and permits aren’t forthcoming in the near future.

“Maybe sometime this fall,” he said.

Turbines already operating around the Oakesdale area are part of the Palouse Wind Farm Project, which went online Dec. 13, 2012.

Not here

Rick McNannay lives in an 1892 victorian home his family purchased years ago on James Road, off Clear Creek Road.

“We love it out there,” McNannay said during the meeting, adding he doesn’t like the idea of corporate wind farms in his neighborhood. “We need to get organized.”

He called on Washington State University to get involved in the opposition, noting there are a variety of different strengths and skills available there, and that students could get involved.

“I’m not necessarily anti-wind turbine,” McNannay said, “I just don’t want them here.”

Resident and farmer Lee Bannister said there are better places for the turbines to be erected.

Bannister said he is on a mission to spread the word that Whitman County stands to lose a national treasure if the turbines are allowed near Kamiak Butte.

“It’s known all over the world,” he said.

Farmer Bill Myers also opposes the development.

He said he is appeal to all growers and landowners to reject any lease offer.

“Think of your neighbors, guys. Don’t do it,” he said. “What we stand to lose is far greater than anything we can gain.”

Online petition

In addition, Pullman resident Gwen Anderson started a petition on http://www.change.org.

The petition “Protect Kamiak Butte: Stop the Harvest Hills Wind Project!” had garnered 350 signatures by Monday, March 18, with 83 signing on Monday alone.

The goal is to get 500 signatures.

“Each wind turbine is projected to be up to 670 feet tall — much larger than the existing turbines near Oakesdale, and taller than the Space Needle,” she wrote in her petition.

The petition points out turbines won’t only destroy existing beauty, but will also be a problem long after their lifespan.

“End-of-lifecycle remidiation clauses are not protective and will never restore these lands to their pre-industrial turbine use,” she wrote. “These leases favor companies over people, and will be responsible for destroying the natural beauty of the Palouse...

“If we allow this to proceed without taking action, the heart of the Palouse will never be the same again.”