Phase 1- Getting Organized Locally  $25,000 - COMPLETED

 

Organizing locally to oppose a wind farm can be a complex but achievable endeavor. It requires strategic planning, community engagement, and often, professional advice. Here's a breakdown of how to approach it:

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Early Action and Information Gathering:

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• Don't Panic, But Act Quickly: Wind farm projects often move fast in their initial stages. The earlier you start organizing, the more impact you can have.

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• Understand the Project:​

  • Project Details: Get all available information on the proposed wind farm: exact location, number and height of turbines, megawatts, transmission lines, access roads, and construction timeline.

  • Permitting Process: Research the local, county, state, and potentially federal permitting processes. Understand the relevant zoning laws, ordinances, and environmental regulations.

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• Developer Information: Identify the developer, their track record, and past projects.

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• Identify Key Stakeholders: Who will be directly affected? Property owners, farmers, local businesses, environmental groups, indigenous communities, etc.

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Form a Core Action Group:

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• Initial Meetings: Hold small, informal meetings with concerned neighbors.

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• Establish a Group Name: Choose a name that clearly communicates your purpose (e.g., "Citizens for a Sustainable [Town Name]," "Protect [Area Name] from Industrial Wind").

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• Define Your Mission and Goals: What are your primary concerns? What do you hope to achieve (e.g., stop the project, modify it, move it)?

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• Assign Roles: Designate a chair, secretary, treasurer, research coordinator, media liaison, legal liaison, and fundraising lead. This distributes the workload and ensures accountability.

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• Connect with Others: Reach out to other communities that have successfully opposed wind farms. Learn from their experiences, strategies, and challenges. Organizations like National Wind Watch can be good resources.

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PHASE - 2 Education; Local Opposition Phase $75,000 - COMPLETED

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 Build Community Awareness and Support:

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• Public Meetings: Organize well-advertised public meetings to inform the wider community. Invite local officials, experts (if possible), and the local press. Use these meetings to gauge opposition, gather facts, and recruit more volunteers.

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• Information Dissemination:

  • Flyers and Brochures: Create clear, concise materials outlining your concerns and calls to action. Distribute them widely.

  • Website/Social Media: Establish a strong online presence (Facebook group, website, etc.) to share information, updates, and resources. This is crucial for reaching a broad audience and countering developer narratives.

  • Email Lists: Build an email list to keep supporters informed.

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• Visual Protests:

  • Lawn Signs and Banners: Highly visible and effective for demonstrating widespread opposition.

  • Group T-shirts/Hats: Can create a sense of unity and visibility at public meetings.

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• Petitions: Collect signatures to demonstrate the level of local opposition to local officials and the developer.

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• Letters to the Editor: Encourage community members to write letters to local newspapers expressing their concerns.

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• Door-to-Door Canvassing: Talk to neighbors directly to understand their concerns and educate them about the project.

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Research and Documentation:

• Impact Studies: Gather information on the potential negative impacts of wind farms:

  • Noise: Research acoustic studies and potential health effects of audible and infrasound noise.

  • Visual Impact/Shadow Flicker: Document the visual impact on the landscape and the potential for shadow flicker on homes.

  • Wildlife: Research potential impacts on birds (especially migratory paths), bats, and other local wildlife.

  • Property Values: Find data on property value depreciation near wind farms.

  • Health Concerns: While often disputed by developers, collect testimonials and research on "Wind Turbine Syndrome" or other reported health issues.

  • Interference: Investigate potential interference with radar, TV, or cell signals.

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• Developer's Claims: Scrutinize the developer's claims about economic benefits, environmental advantages, and noise levels. Look for independent assessments.

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• Local Ordinances: Understand existing local ordinances related to noise, setbacks, height, and environmental protection. Identify any gaps or weaknesses that need to be addressed.

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• Expert Consultation: If possible, consult with experts in acoustics, real estate, environmental law, or land use planning.

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Engage with Decision-Makers:

• Local Government Officials:

  • Identify Key Players: Determine which local boards, commissions, or officials have decision-making power (e.g., planning commission, zoning board, county commissioners).

  • Meet Early and Often: Request meetings with individual officials to explain your concerns and provide them with information. Build relationships based on respectful dialogue.

  • Attend Meetings: Show up in numbers at all public meetings related to the project. Speak during public comment periods.

  • Provide Written Comments: Submit detailed written objections during public comment periods. These become part of the official record.

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• State and Federal Representatives: Depending on the project's scale and funding, engage with state and federal elected officials who may have influence.

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• Community Benefit Agreements (CBAs): While your primary goal might be opposition, if the project seems inevitable, you might explore the possibility of negotiating a strong Community Benefit Agreement to mitigate negative impacts and ensure local benefits. This should be done strategically and with legal counsel.

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Legal and Fundraising Strategies:

• Legal Counsel: Consult with an attorney specializing in land use, environmental law, or administrative law. They can advise on legal challenges, permitting loopholes, and potential lawsuits (e.g., nuisance claims).

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• Fundraising: Opposition campaigns can be expensive. Start a fighting fund to cover costs for legal fees, expert consultations, public outreach materials, and website maintenance.

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• Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR): Your attorney can advise on options like mediation or arbitration if appropriate.

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PHASE - 3 Model Ordinances ($48,000)

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Duration : 3 Months

 

The development and submission of ordinances regarding No Columbia Wind farms in local townships or jurisdiction.

 

Procurement of Ordinance Attorney(s) $5,000

Discussion of Legal Regulation of Ordinances $5,000

Attorney Drafting of Ordinances Regulating Windfarms $15,000

Educating Public of Ordinances Regulating Windfarms $5,000

Amicae Curiae Brief - Massachusetts $10,000

Administrative $3,000

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PHASE - 4 Litigation, if necessary ($240,000)

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Duration : 1 - 3 Years

 

The evaluation of litigation opportunities begins at the outset of the project.  Opportunities may present themselves in an administrative or legal context.  A litigation budget to stop a windfarm project would be about $200,000 including:

 

Pre-complaint and complaint work $50,000

Motion to Dismiss/Discovery Work $50,000

Summary Judgment/Trial work $100,000

Administrative - Expert Requirements $40,000

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