Dear Editor:
I strongly oppose the proposed wind turbine project at the Cochrane High School because of the negative visual impact, the additional noise and for reasons of safety.
The wind turbine will tower above the neighbourhood with an overall height of 69 feet from the top of the spinning blades to the ground. The 18 foot diameter (rotor) turning in the skyline will be distracting, unsightly, and inescapable. The noise added to the neighbourhood will be persistent, night and day, all year around. Birds and bats do collide with wind turbines. It is inevitable.
Wind turbines can fail and fly apart. They can ice up and shed ice to the ground. A 60 foot tower is a good lightning conductor. What is the wisdom in locating such a device in a populated area, especially a school yard?
Who is going to take responsibility for the increased risk to the students and the general public? I think the costs of this project to the community in terms of the negative visual impact, noise and safety risks are far too great.
This is especially true considering how relatively little power the 5,000 watt turbine will produce and how very small a part the wind turbine will play in the curriculum and overall education of the students.
Martin Thieme
