Town Sweet On Wind Turbines

To the editor:

To respond to those of us who do not live with wind turbines (an important issue in Fayette County right now), this letter writer talked with folks who do.)

Sweetwater, Texas, should know. Nolan County and surrounding counties have about 3,000 wind turbines, all pointing to the future in a world with renewable energy and less climate pollution.

Ethan Whittenburg, the Marketing and Business Development Manager for Sweetwater Economic Development, feels lucky to have the location for wind energy. “If we can use it (wind energy), use it.”

In the state of Texas, there are presently 26,000 jobs with an annual average wage of $109,000.

For Sweetwater, Whittenburg says its infrastructure is better supported with the increased tax base from wind energy. Also, there are 22 renewable wind companies in the area. The workers in these companies increase sales, motel and restaurant taxes that support the Chamber of Commerce and other area activities.

Jenna Moffitt’s grandson will graduate from Blackwell High School in Nolan County, and for each year of his attendance at Blackwell, he will receive $1,000. This is a benefit of the school having its own wind turbine. He can use the $12,000 for more schooling or for buying work tools. He is considering a technical school.

Blackwell is one of three schools in Nolan County that has its own wind turbine. Other schools in the county benefit as well—many using the money for capital improvement.

Landowners benefit the most. Others benefit from the number of jobs available in the development and maintenance of the wind industry.

For Jenna Moffitt, the wind turbines appear like ballet dancers moving to the music of the wind.

For others, the blinking lights of the wind turbines at night is Christmas 12 months of the year.

Virginia Leech La Grange