Community Divided Over Wind Turbine Amendment

Community Divided Over Wind Turbine Amendment

New developments tonight -- in a story we've been following this year.

The possibility of wind turbines -- continues to divide -- posey county.

However -- a public hearing held this morning --- show the community is closer to a decision.

44news reporter marisa patwa is in mount vernon -- with the latest update.

"currently there are one hundred and fifty of these doppler radars in the united states and thank god we have one in our area because i'm sure it saves countless lives."

Will i be safe in a storm?

This is a question posey county residents are asking as government leaders continue to debate on where wind turbines will be allowed inside of the county with the big concern being they could cause interference with weather warnings -- leaving families possibly unaware and unsafe if there is a tornado.

And some posey county residents say wind turbines should only be allowed inside of mitigation or consultation zones -- instead of leaving it up to developers to work with the national weather service.

"they don't produce all of the information that is relevant for the national weather service to make a suggestion as to mitigation strategies and they are notorious for failing to cooperate."

Now the next closest doppler radar is in gibson county and their ordinance does not allow wind turbines from bring built in mitigation and consultation zones.

And concerned citizens say that posey county needs to follow suit.

"if we're not consistent then gibson county is protecting it's citizens and then posey county is undoing gibson county's work.

Not only are the citizens posey county and gibson county effected but the citizens of vanderburgh county would be effected as well."

And commissioners say while they want economic expansion for the county -- they also understood worries when it comes to safety.

"to protect that doppler radar and thousands of individuals in the northern part of the country and down in this area, it comes down in this area, that's what i think we need to do."

Due to quota not being filled, the commissioners will wait to vote on amendment at their december 1st.

Reporting in mt.

Vernon marisa patwa