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Sample Letters
Let
Your Neighbors Know
The courtesy of informing neighbors about your system installaion
can often correct misperceptions and avoid opposition to your
project. A letter like the one below will answer most questions
people have about wind turbines -- how much noise they create,
the visual impact, whether there are safety issues, and the effect
on property values. It lets neighbors know that you have done
your homework and are proceeding responsibly. Click
here to download this letter.
Dear Neighbor,
You may be interested to learn that I plan to install a small
wind energy system on my property at [address]. This modern, non-polluting
system will generate electricity solely for my own use, reducing
my dependence on the local utility. Any excess generation will
be supplied to the utility system, but I will not receive any
income from this exchange.
I plan to install a [turbine make and model] that will be mounted
on a [#]-foot tower, set back [#] feet from the street and [#]
feet from the [south/north/east/west] property line. This wind
turbine uses a [two/three]-bladed propeller [#] feet in diameter
and has only [#] moving parts. It does not turn until the wind
speed reaches at least [#] mph. On calm, quiet days, the wind
turbine will not likely be audible. When the rotor is turning,
the sound of the wind passing over the blades will register about
[#] decibels (dB(A)), at a distance of [#] feet, which will barely
be audible over other noises caused by the wind.
[Manufacturer] has installed [#] of [turbine make and model] in
the United States [and overseas]. They have a proven track record
of producing energy quietly, cleanly, and safely. If you have
any questions about the proposed installation, please feel free
to contact me.
Sincerely,
Letter
to Elected Officials
It's also a good idea to tell local elected officials and state
representatives about your project. Click
here to download this letter.
Dear ________________ :
I am writing to enlist your support for the installation of a
residential wind energy system on my [name of town or county]
property. In keeping with this state's commitment to clean, renewable
energy, the purpose of this modern, non-polluting system is to
generate electricity solely for my own use, reducing my energy
bills and dependence on [local utility]. [Or, for grid-connected
systems]…for my own use, with any excess generation being
fed into the utility grid.
The system I propose to install is a [#] kW [turbine make and
model], to be mounted on a [#]-foot tower. The [make/model] wind
turbine uses a three-bladed [#]-foot diameter "airplane type"
propeller and has only [#] moving parts. On calm, quiet days,
the wind turbine will produce no sounds. When the rotor is turning,
the sound of the wind passing over the blades will produce a white
noise at about 52-55 decibels, and should be barely discernible
above ambient (background) noise. [Manufacturer] has installed
[#] [turbine make and model]s in the United States [and overseas].
They have a proven track record of producing energy quietly, cleanly,
and safely.
Because local [name jurisdiction] zoning rules do not designate
small wind energy systems as an approved special use, I am in
the process of seeking a variance for the proposed project.
[Or] I am in the process of seeking a special [or conditional]
use permit for the proposed project.
The support of your office for this small, clean renewable energy
project would be most helpful. Please do not hesitate to contact
me if you have any questions about the project, and thank you
for your interest in renewable energy.
Sincerely,
Letter
of Support / Letter to the Editor
People who oppose a project are more likely to be vocal about
it than people who are supportive. If getting your project permitted
requires a public hearing, you may want to make it easier for
the people who support you to make their opinions known. In addition
to getting supporters to the public hearing(s), encouraging them
to write to the Planning Board or other local officials who will
be deciding on your permit request can be helpful. Letters to
the Editor are also a good way to convey information or gain support
for a project. Here are some sample templates.
See also www.windzone.mkeis.org/our.htm
for examples of project-specific correspondence.
Click here to download this
letter.
Dear [Planning Official]:
I am writing in support of [_______________]'s application for
a permit [or variance] to build a small wind turbine on his/her
property at [ADDRESS].
Windmills have long played a part in individual Americans' energy
independence. Given modern technology, they are safer, quieter,
and more efficient than ever. As a [county / town ] resident,
I am happy to see one of my neighbors taking positive steps to
make clean, renewable energy a reality. Provided the structure
meets standard building safety requirements, I see no reason why
it should not be approved.
Sincerely,
To the Editor:
Letters to the Editor
may take the same basic form as the letter of support addressed
to a planning official.
If there has been coverage of the project or of wind energy in
the newspaper, a letter that responds to specific points made
in the article will be more likely to get published.
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