To the Editor:

In response to "Double Standards" Sound Off which appeared in the April 18-24 issue of North Country This Week: I believe what letter writers are "screaming" about is there would be no support for an industrial wind project in Hopkinton if it weren't for a handful of leaseholders who are pushing it.

Please stop pretending it has anything to do with "renewable energy," "reducing our dependence on fossil fuels," or the "money it will supposedly bring in to the town."

As people have attempted to explain to you, this area does not depend on fossil fuels but rather produces all of its electrical needs by hydropower. We actually export hydropower. It’s easy to prove wind power is not a reliable source of electric generation. When there is no wind, there is no electricity generated.

Furthermore, industrial wind has a negative impact on the environment - from birds, bats, raptors, wildlife habitat destruction, clear-cutting for roads, to the disturbance of our well water -- so please explain -- where are the benefits to the majority of people who live here?

Your words make it appear that you care nothing about the Town of Hopkinton and the people who live there. It appears obvious that you care about the potential money you will receive and have unfortunately resorted to techniques that have the appearance of bullying, manipulation, and intimidation of the town clerk, town board members, and others in order to achieve your potential financial gain.

Let me remind the readers of this letter about the tactics employed to date: 1) You’ve convinced a town council person to go door-to-door with your company representative trying to garner support for the project; 2) You’ve paid local people to call on community members and explain the benefits of a "Good Neighbor Agreement;" 3) Your latest tactic is to make an offer to offset the electric bills for some community residents. Fortunately, other than leaseholders once again pushing for lesser setbacks and louder decibel levels, there was only one new individual who came forward at the recent public hearing who said he believed, “anyone could get used to anything after 3 weeks”

That is simply conjecture on his part as there was no scientific study to support that statement. I don't want to gamble that we will be able to "get used to it." So, the end result of all of these tactics is very few community residents who are willing to publically acknowledge they are in favor of this project and a continuing overwhelming number who understand the negative consequences and are willing to speak truth to power.

In my opinion, the postcard from Avangrid/Iberdrola you appear to be proud of that was sent to community residents, says absolutely nothing…just something vague like "let's keep the conversation going." The Concerned Citizens for Rural Preservation (CCRP) postcard said three very definite things: 1) pass the proposed wind law as it was presented by the Hopkinton Wind Advisory Board; 2) Do not expand the overlay zone south of State Route 72; and 3) Do not accept a PILOT. Contrary to your explanation, CCRP did not go to everyone's home and stand there, waiting for the cards to be signed so they could collect and hand-deliver them to the town board.

Those cards were mailed to let the people decide freely, on their own and without coercion, whether or not they wished to complete and mail them back. What a novel idea!

In the future, I suggest you may want to sign your letters to show us you believe in what you are writing and in “continuing the conversation.”

Lori Witherell

Parishville