Why do you want to live in Freeborn County? For my wife and I, we wanted to be close to family and provide our children with the opportunity to live in a setting with the values we espouse. So, we moved from a home on the main street of a busy suburb of Flint, Michigan, to a quiet spot where our children and, one day, grandchildren could play. Those were the reasons we moved to Freeborn County; those were the ideas of our dreams.

Now, sometime next month, Invenergy will submit their proposal to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission regarding the Freeborn County Wind Farm. Part of that proposal is a plan to construct a wind turbine one-fourth of a mile from our recently realized dream. But that one turbine will be just one of seven placed within one mile of our home.

How do I know this? Not from Invenergy. The company of “community engagement” has mostly ignored individual homeowners like myself, instead focusing on large absentee landowners. No Invenergy official has ever discussed the seven turbines with my wife or myself.

So, what to do? My wife and I are not against the opportunity this project could be for Freeborn County. We do not want the county commissioners to reject this project out of hand (something they cannot do). No, we hope they can help guide this project towards a position that helps Invenergy create their taxpayer subsidized wind farm, while also respecting the well-being of those same taxpayers. We have asked the commissioners to create a half-mile setback to help minimize shadow flicker and noise pollution.

However, the response from the commissioners has been mixed. First, I must applaud the efforts of Dan Belshan and Mike Lee. Both gentlemen will always be held in high esteem with me for taking the time (including Mr. Lee visiting my home) to understand my concerns and my desire for compromise. Commissioner Chris Shoff took the time to answer questions and provide guidance on other people to ask. I have been unable to find a way to email Commissioner Nelson, and Commissioner Mathiason has not responded.

Therefore, I turn to the people of Freeborn County:

What level of comfort do you expect at your home?

Residents of the Bent Tree Wind Farm, is it true, as reported by Commissioner Shoff, that there is only one resident with a negative reaction to the turbines?

Is it wrong to ask our elected officials to balance the desires of a multi-billion dollar energy company with the concerns of tax-paying citizens?

Can we not reach a position that allows our county to enjoy the benefits of the Freeborn County Wind Project with some adjustments to make sure that my children and the next generations of Shell Rock Township grow up in a similar environment that drew their parents to this great place?

Sean Gaston

Glenville