Visit was worth trip

Upon reading about opponents of large-scale wind power in Vermont, I decided to visit a wind farm and see it for myself. Having heard the concerns about aesthetics, noise pollution, and environmental impacts, I wanted to separate the facts from the fiction and arrive at my own conclusions.

Thursday, May 31, was an open house tour of the Sheffield Wind Project, and I was eager to attend. Upon arrival to the site, the pure beauty of the turbines and their inspiring vision of a clean sustainable future, gave me a feeling of awe. The turbines’ location on the ridgeline added to their splendor and puts Vermont’s great achievement on display as a symbol of hope for the future.

From seeing the turbines in person, I believe that they are a true representation of Vermont’s transition to energy independence and legacy of environmental stewardship. Water quality and animal habitats have not been jeopardized through careful conservation strategies; and apart from a gentle whoosh of the spinning blades, I found the turbines are essentially noise free. The mix of environmental protection, along with a clean, efficient energy source, makes similar projects throughout the state an essential step in maintaining Vermont’s commitment to pursue a clean energy future.

Scott Britt

South Burlington