Wind farm ruling lucky escape for residents

WHILE all those involved in the Killala community wind farm project in Co Mayo may be disappointed by the decision of An Bórd Pleanála to refuse permission, perhaps some day the residents there will realise what a lucky escape they have had.

I have visited many people who live near industrial wind turbines here and abroad.

Apart from the fact, that wind turbines seriously devalue properties in the area and harm residential amenities — as acknowledged by An Bórd Pleanála — the quality of life in general for those living anywhere near a wind farm is greatly affected.

With the looming massive increase in electricity prices, it is all too easy to say if only we had more wind turbines here it would keep prices down.

In fact, nothing could be further from the truth.

If we had more information regarding our European neighbours, we would soon realise that not all of what we are led to believe is the truth.

We would know that the Germans, who pride themselves in having the greatest number of wind turbines in the world, are already trying to cope with a huge price increase in electricity as well as with the massive hike in fuel prices.

The reality is that on a cold evening, many of my fellow country men and women put on warm jackest because they can’t afford any longer to turn on the heating.

Many Germans are selling their cars because they can’t afford the fuel, a common birthday present these days is a petrol voucher, and it is not uncommon for a professional couple to hold down two jobs each in an effort to afford some bit of the ‘must have it all’ lifestyle that societies in the developed world have grown accustomed to.

Let’s face it, we are in trouble and we all have to take responsibility and start saving energy.

It is time to sit back and evaluate our priorities.

Brigitte Schorn

Meeleen

Knockraha

Co Cork