Save Our Wide Open Spaces

MYTH: Wind Turbines use only wind to generate electricity.

MYTH: Wind farms will get rid of our dependence on oil.


Wind turbines require oil to function.

Wind turbines will not replace the need for oil or our continued overseas struggles for control of oil.

It is estimated that a wind turbine generator will contain approximately 214 gallons of lubricants and hydraulic and transmission fluids in its nacelle or hub at any given time and that approximately 40,000 gallons of electrical servicing oil will be stored on an electrical service platform.

The oil contained in the wind turbines create a very real THREAT to our National Forests, homes, and way of life should they catch on fire or if they develop leaks that spew oil across the land contaminating wildlife food supplies.

The Safety issues of Fire Managment and Contamination to wildlife food supplies and the Cataract Canyon Watershed which flows directly through the Grand Canyon and to the Havasupai Village should be alarming enough to make us pause and consider there may be another option!

I would like to hear more if you have any supporting data that disputes what I have said.

AZ Daily Sun Editorial letter

Flagstaff

We are never going to overcome our dependence on foreign energy unless we begin with the initial steps of wind generation. I sympathize with your objections, but I think the ultimate goal of achieving balance in our use and production of renewable sources outweigh the myopic objections that you set forth.

A Place for Neighbors to Meet

Four Hills Ranch, Grand Canyon Corridor

I am writing in regards to the proposed Perrin Ranch Wind Project. As a local property owner I feel there are several issues that need to be addressed.

1. Environmental Impact on this scenic area: The Red Lake Plan has had the effect of controlling development in the Grand Canyon Corridor (Highway 64) since its adoption in 1992. The County has since 1992 limited industrial development in this corridor to the Grand Canyon and should continue to do so.

2. Property Values: Property owners mainly purchased their land with the idea of retiring here or building a second home. If property values drop further because of the proposed wind complex it will be difficult for homeowners to obtain building loans.

3. Economic Impact: We need to examine closely the pros and cons of this proposed wind complex on this area. Promises of 8 to 10 full time jobs are not likely to be filled by locals since the job requirements will require special skills. The Holbrook wind project which is already up and running employs only two full-time locals a receptionist and a maintenance man.

4. Fire Risks and promises of equipment for Williams Fire Department: Equipment for fire-fighting will be available only because NextEra has to have it on site to protect their investment. Has anyone considered how we will fight a fire 262 to 400 feet in the air in a location adjacent to the Kaibab Forest?

5. Promises to support the Schools: NextEra claims schools will receive additional money from the lease of State Trust land. The State Land leases have always provided money to schools. Will this new source make any difference? How much will Williams Unified School District benefit since the monies are distributed by a State Formula and a share goes to all school districts in the State according to size.

6. Local Power Service: None of the power to be generated will go into the local grid. APS has no plans to expand or extend the services to any community along the Grand Canyon Corridor.

7. Visual Impact: The scenic view-scape will be marred forever by the turbines and the destruction caused during construction.

8. Local Economy Impact: This project will in time have a negative impact on the local economy as tourism declines. These 62 turbines will be located in the view-shed of the approach to the Grand Canyon visited yearly by millions of tourists from around the World. People visit Grand Canyon and the surrounding area because of the natural beauty, it is unlikely they will come to see 400 foot tall wind turbines as they wind their way through the open range.

9. Environmental Impact:
a. Hunting Impact: Wildlife patterns will be disrupted and hunting will be curtailed within the 65,000 acres that sits in Unit 10 by the closing of the Perrin Ranch to hunters. This will have a negative impact on local businesses that provide goods and services to the hunters.
b. Eagles, raptors, and bats will die by the hundreds big game will be replaced by predators and scavengers.

10. There are no county ordinances regarding setbacks that:
a. Protect homeowners from the possible health related issues that have been identified in other communities already living with 400 foot tall turbines. Wind Turbine Syndrome (WTS) is becoming more prevalent in communities where these turbines have been installed. WTS results from effects from the noise, low frequency vibrations, and flicker (shadows casts by the turning turbine).
b. Protect our property values.

Save Our Wide Open Spaces

Petition Drive to STOP Perrin Ranch Wind Farm

Grand Canyon Corridor - Williams, Arizona

Canyon Country Coalition for Responsible Renewable Energy welcomes you to our guestbook. We are a group of concerned citizens who live along the Grand Canyon Corridor, Highway 64, from Williams to Grand Canyon, Arizona and we are opposed to the development and installation of sixty-two wind turbines on the Perrin Ranch.

Grand Canyon is one of the Seven Wonders of the World with breathtaking viewscapes. So it behooves us to look long and hard at what kind of renewable energy is best for this unique location. We believe there are other cleaner and less intrusive renewable energy resources that would work better.

By creating this web site we hope to help our community residents and landowners understand the serious risks we are facing if we do not speak out and share our concerns with the Coconino County Planning and Zoning Commission.

A few months ago Arizona Power (APS) partnered with Xanterra and the National Park Service to install a large solar system on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Those of us who live here know firsthand that Solar is by far the most reliable and aestheticially appealing renewable energy for this area.

But now, APS along with it's new partner, NextEra, are pushing for the installation of sixty-two 400-foot tall wind turbines off Highway 64 (Grand Canyon Corridor) and more turbines off Highway 180 (another Grand Canyon Corridor). These two highways merge at the town of Valle, Arizona which is also the home of Red Butte, sacred grounds of the Havasupai Tribe.

We are not the only Northern Arizona community dealing with this issue. There are other proposed sites for wind turbines in Northern Arizona:

Holbrook - Heber area: First Installation of 20 turbines in Northern Arizona are operational outside Holbrook as of this year. Another 264 turbines are scheduled for installation in Navajo County.
Citizens in Antelope Valley are working hard to stop further development in this area.

Kingman area: no information on this development

Aubrey Cliffs: near the Havasupai Reservation
Espee Road Ranch - Planning and Zoning Commission request set for testing towers October 28, 2010

East Flagstaff: Highway 89 three proposed projects
Babbitt Ranch
CO Bar Ranch
Grey Mountain
Planning and Zoning Commission request set for testing towers October 28, 2010

Williams (Grand Canyon Corridor) SPECIAL HEARING for CITIZENS regarding the Perrin Ranch (off Highway 64)NextEra's request for installation permit of 62 wind turbines December 16, 2010

These wind farms which are really industrial power plants are being subsidized with our tax dollars.

The energy they will produce will NOT be for local use. The energy will be directed into the GRID and Out-of-State.

The Arizona Corporation Commission (AZCC) has mandated that APS will convert 25% of the energy in Arizona to a renewable energy source. Does the AZCC have the right to set policy? The AZCC is responsible for rates, not setting policy.

In order for APS to reach this 25% goal they have negotiated contracts with companies like NextEra. Wind energy has been chosen because it is the cheapest renewable energy to install.

Our Northern Arizona planning and zoning commissions are faced with deciding whether to permit these projects or not. These commissions are under the gun to learn as much as possible in order to make informed decisions about whether to permit these projects or not.

That's where we, as citizens need to seize the opportunity to remind our planning and zoning commission of their Vision Statement for our area.
The Red Lake Area Plan was created in 1992 to protect this corridor from unnecessary industrial development that would mar the landscape.

We want Coconino County to know we support renewable energy, but we want them to declare a moratorium on further permits regarding industrial wind energy installations and set aside the time to consider other renewable energy choices which are more suited for this unique environment.

We need your HELP to send this message to the Coconino County Planning and Zoning Commission.

Please mark your calendars and attend the Planning and Zoning Special Hearing December 16, 2010.

We invite you to post your letter of concern here.