Turbines are not proven, so why impose them on unwilling communities?
They are views that I would probably share, but that doesn’t affect the thrust of my letter (Irish Examiner, November 18).
The fact is that the wind turbine lobby is also a commercial vested interest, albeit on a smaller scale.
The evidence that I have seen suggests that wind turbines simply don’t offer the sought-after alternative to fossil fuels.
Surely no progressive would want to impose installations like wind turbines on communities against their will, and certainly not when fundamental questions remain unanswered.
By the same token, James McGrath (Irish Examiner letters, November 24) does not adequately address the problem that wind turbines appear not to deliver sufficient reliable renewable energy to justify their high cost, economically and environmentally.
The unsubstantiated assertion that “communities across Ireland welcome wind turbines as a source of income and future power” is curious.
Obviously those landowners who erect turbines stand to benefit from grants and revenue, but even some of these — for example, near Shillelagh, Co Wicklow, as I mentioned — have misgivings. Such arguable individual beneficiaries apart, what of the 20 or so local groups, from counties Cavan to Kerry (including Mr McGrath’s own county, Tipperary), which comprise the Irish Wind Energy Truth Alliance?
The alliance opposes the undemocratic imposition of these dubious installations that wreak havoc on radio, TV and mobile phone reception and disfigure the rural landscape.
One of these communities, at Kilbraney, Co Wexford, scored a notable victory recently when its resistance to 17 wind turbines was upheld by An Bord Pleanála. The serious questions for the wind turbine lobby remain unanswered, despite the contributions of your worthy correspondents.
Dr Colmán Etchingham
Department of History
NUI Maynooth
Co Kildare
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