Windmill Battle Heats Up in Cherokee County with Filing of Lawsuit

Some Cherokee County residents are looking to bring the controversial “Shinbone Wind Energy Project” to a screeching halt, filing suit Monday in Cherokee County Circuit Court, in an attempt to stop the development of the proposed windmill farm.

Those named as plaintiffs’ in the suit include Geneva “Ginny” Shaver, J. Dwight Jones, Newman E. Mackey, Lathan Lancaster and James David Estes.

According to the website al.com, Shaver – who is Gadsden’s Assistant City Clerk and the wife of Cherokee County Sheriff Jeff Shaver – said that the lawsuit speaks for itself, adding (quote) “We did it to protect our homes and our communities from this industrial development.” (end-quote).

That suit names as defendants, Pioneer Green – as well as the residents who are leasing their land to allow construction of the turbines.

The residents claim that construction of those windmills will harm property values and will cause damage to the area’s natural beauty.  The suit also lists a disturbance of natural water sources and potential harm to wildlife as possible negative consequences of the development.

During the most recent meeting of the Cherokee County Commission, occurring on October 14th – the Commission adopted a resolution – requesting that the Tennessee Valley Authority, require Pioneer Green Energy to submit an “Environmental Impact Statement” concerning the project.

County Commission Chairman Kirk Day stated that no matter what position anyone may have on the subject, it’s important for the Commission to have access to as much information as possible, regarding the proposed undertaking.

The suit goes on to state that Pioneer Green’s plan to erect eight turbines in the county, projected at 570 feet in height, won’t result in any substantial power, due to a lack of potential wind energy in the area – claiming that this will result in the turbines eventually being abandoned.

On the other hand, officials with Pioneer Green say new technology will allow windmill farms to flourish in the Southeast.

(al.com)

 

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