County seeks input on wind power
By Kent Thompson
The debate about wind power in Humboldt County continued Monday, even after the meeting of the Board of Supervisors was over.
Following Monday’s meeting, Humboldt County Economic Development Director Alissa O’ Connor talked to the Board about the wind generation and the Board’s thoughts on the matter.
O’Connor’s comments came on the heels of thoughts offered by Supervisor Erik Underberg of Livermore at the end of Monday’s meeting.
“I don’t want to let the windmill issue drop. Our county attorney needs to review the Kossuth County ordinance,” Underberg said.
O’Connor on Monday again pressed the Board to make a statement saying they were either in support of wind power generation or development in the county, or against it.
“It doesn’t matter to me, either way,” O’Connor said. “As the economic development director, I’m telling developers that (you as a Board) are supportive. If that’s not the case, we need to be up front and publicly state that," O'Connor said.
“Our duty is to the citizens of Humboldt County, not to the developers or their interests,” District 4 Supervisor Erik Underberg said.
“Our duty is to grow this county, not to be stale and die,” District 3 Supervisor Rick Pedersen of Humboldt countered.
The Board agreed to bring up the matter at next week’s meeting and is seeking public input about wind energy in Humboldt County.
At 9:30 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 18, the Board will accept public comments about wind energy in Humboldt County. The open forum will allow anyone wishing to speak about the matter, two minutes to state their opinions.
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