A Trip to Buffalo Mountain

On November 30, the Canary Coalition conducted its latest field trip to the TVA Pilot Wind Project at Buffalo Mountain, Tennessee for legislators, local government officials and community leaders.

NC State Representative Charles Thomas enjoys this view of two turbines on Buffalo Mountain. Thomas introduced legislation in 2007 to create wind citing criteria in North Carolina.  The bill was buried in a study committee, but support seems to be building to remove some of the legal obstacles to wind development.  The Canary Coalition will be helping with his effort.

Watauga County Commissioner Winston Kinsey joined the field trip to witness for himself  the visual and noise impact of modern large-scale wind turbines.  He seemed at ease with what he found. There is general agreement that the noise level is remarkably low to non-existent. Visual impact depends on your taste. But, for those who dislike air pollution, sulfuric haze, mercury toxicity, high ozone levels and greenhouse gas production, the slow steady and graceful  wind turbines are a work of art and a thing of beauty.

The landing at the final turbine on the northeastern end of Buffalo Mountain affords a grand view of the entire project

10-mile view from the parking lot of the Moran Baptist Church.  Keep looking.  The wind turbines are there.