Wind Turbine Ban Proposed

(Floyd County, Virginia) Attacking wind turbines, a county ordinance has been proposed to ban structures taller than 40 feet on ridges within the county.

Nestled among the Blue Ridge Mountains in southwestern Virginia, Floyd County has several scenic ridges that wind power companies argue would make good locations for industrial wind farms.

During county supervisor meetings, local residents have expressed strong opposition to any such wind farms.[…]

Conservation groups worry about wind farms doing more than just despoiling scenic vistas. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reports wind turbines kill 440,000 birds each year, including many protected and endangered species. The wind turbines also kill prodigious numbers of bats, which are important for insect control and plant pollination.

Ramping up the number of wind farms will similarly increase the number of bird and bat deaths above current kill numbers.

Over 600 signatures have been collected from Floyd County residents opposing wind turbine placement.