Let’s not repeat mistakes of the past with wind project

To the Editor:

Over two decades ago, Dodge County and several townships were tasked with the challenge of responsibly completing a plan to locate a new dairy in our community. This project as it was originally planned, had it been allowed to be completed, would have been a destination/tourist/research facility which in many regards too numerous to mention here would have been a very welcome addition to our rural/urban community.

Unfortunately, after receiving unanimous support from six different boards statewide, this dairy was not allowed to become a reality due to emotion and perception misunderstanding the value this project would have provided. This setback was a pyrrhic victory for the activists opposing its construction. Dodge County lost an opportunity to be a leader in the dairy industry as well as provide local economic growth and be a trend setter in the homegrown renewable energy business. Being the predominant rural business in this county, agriculture additionally was a casualty of this negative decision.

This continues to be a loss compounded yearly that we will never recover.

With many similar parallels, the Dodge County Wind Project has spent many years planning for a renewable wind energy project that would be equally as beneficial to our rural/urban communities. Let’s hope once again emotion and unfounded perception does not guide our decision making process determining the scope and value this project can provide our area. Again the numerous topics of concern, including continued usual crop husbandry and transmission line location, continue to be addressed and as seen in other developed projects, once located are not as much of an issue if properly planned for as was initially thought.

The benefits this project will bring to our community need serious consideration before once again, we do not have the foresight and leadership to understand the potential loss of this project would come at too great a cost years from now.

Bruce and Tarrie Schmoll

Claremont