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Western Pa. man fights for backyard wind turbine
MONACA, Pa. (AP) — A western Pennsylvania man has run into local opposition to his plans to erect a wind turbine atop a 34-foot tower in his back yard.
Forty-four-year-old Chuck Thomas spent $12,000 on the turbine and tower, hoping to take advantage of a federal tax rebate and to save money on electricity. He figures he’ll recoup his money in about two years.
But Monaca police showed up threatening daily fines of $600 after he installed the unit Saturday. Borough officials say Thomas’ zoning variance request won’t be heard until Oct. 19. And officials plan to vote on an ordinance Oct. 13 that Thomas says unfairly singles him out.
It would ban turbines on properties smaller than two acres and require lots to be large enough to contain the tower if it fell. Thomas’ property doesn’t meet those requirements.
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Comments
Zoning officials may be a localities' worst enemy - Just look at Columbiana County.
Here we have a responsible individual, financially able and willing to better his community and his lifestyle, yet brain dead political hacks cannot or refuse to see bigger issues here. I say change the zoning and pave the way for responsible citizens to improve their community and themselves.
I am certain this individual does not want his tower to fall, who would, and believe he has the money to make sure the tower is secure enough to stay stable for decades of use.
Sounds like the political hacks are taking donations from the energy companies to block progress. These politicians need to go out with the next election.
If Mr. Thomas paid the city a nice "bonus" under the table, it wouldn't matter if he mounted his wind turbine on a 34 foot tower on his property if it were the size of a gum wrapper.
It wouldn't surprise me at all if energy companies are influencing local governments to stop wind turbines. Although not the greatest thing to look at, my argument to Monaca local government is that there is no difference between a turbine and a rather large tree. A tree has the capability of doing just as much damage if not more if it were to blow down on to a neigbor's property. Local Gov of course will try and catagorize this as an act of nature, but a wind turbine can always be inspected for safety and are probably much safer than a tree.
This is political correctness enforcement . Let's look at the basics .
1. There is no tax money to be had from his free electric .
2. If they allow him to have a tower this would set a precedent for others .
3. He didn't ask the city's permission to erect the tower .