MAC LAC Meeting Report | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Stan:

    Today, in Raleigh, there was a major meeting regarding the proposed Mill Pond wind energy project. I just got off the teleconference for it and wanted you to quickly know what happened, so please overlook any typos. The summaries below are the best that I could understand from hearing multiple people over the phone.

    As you know, this is an issue of not only statewide importance, but it is particularly significant to NC coastal taxpayers, ratepayers, businesses, environment, and the military. It's good that it is getting high level attention.

    This was the original agenda sponsored by the Governor's new MAC LAC (Military Affairs Commission, Legislative Affairs Committee). It ended up being attended (in person or via teleconference) by several more of the key players (e.g. president of Torch, top DENR people, state legislators, etc).

    I was asked to present the citizens' case (via teleconference) against this proposal, and said as much as I could within the 5 minute time-limit I was given. Thanks go to Senator Harry Brown and his aide, Darryl Black, who invited me. Please read what I said, as it's a good summary, and let me know any questions.

    About 15 other people spoke. The developer outlined their plans and said they would withdraw if this was a real problem for Cherry Point... The Duke representative blamed PURPA for having to deal with this project... The Weyerhaeuser person said they were doing this as they wanted to expand on "compatible uses for forests"(!).

    IMO the most disappointing comments came from DENR. Their military person made such statements as: "DOD thoroughly investigates all the bird and bunny issues," and that human health problems "are just theories," that we were reacting prematurely, etc.

    Not only are these factually false, but he was clearly acting as an agent for the developer. This is very similar to several reports I received about DENR's behavior at the pre-pre-application meeting (11/6/13) that they are now calling an "optional process operation meeting."

    I still don't understand how DENR's position is in any way consistent with the DENR Mission.

    But then there is the good news. All the other people who spoke and took a position, were strongly against it. Some of those who spoke out were:

    Senator Norman Sanderson said he had one job, and that was to represent the people. He said that it is extremely clear that the vast majority of the people oppose this project.

    Representative Pat McElraft made several fine points, and concluded the "we don't want wind energy in Carteret." She offered them a way out by saying solar would be OK.

    Representative Butterfield (or maybe it was Bell, I couldn't hear his name) said that the only people in his area that support wind energy were environmentalists  -  and they are only a small minority. He also faulted the DOD process for being bureaucratic, and an ineffective way to assess real military issues.

    Commissioner Robin Comer also made multiple good observations. He noted that the problems extended much beyond the base (e.g. tourism, property value loss, health impacts). He concluded by saying that even if the likely impact on Cherry Point was small, what sense does it make for us to take that gamble? What sense indeed!

    General Tom Braaton (Director: Coastal Carolina Regional Airport) spoke about how the turbines would cause serious radar problems to local aircraft.

    So, all in all I would say that the meeting was a success. We'll have to see what happens on the state level, particularly with DENR.

    Our next important meeting is the public hearing on January 2nd, 6 PM in the Crystal Coast Civic Center (Morehead City, near Community College). We need people to show up, to speak up, to support the 60 day moratorium, and to endorse the Bullet Points.

    This should be our last update until after Christmas. We have accomplished a lot on this matter, in a short amount of time. My thanks go out to the numerous citizens who have stepped up here to defend our community.

    I hope that you and your family have a happy, healthy holiday season.


    John Droz, jr.
      physicist & environmental advocate