Wind ethics code another loyalty oath

I wish to personally address issues raised at the Sept. 23 town of Henderson wind forum. Though no longer representing United Wind Energy, LLC, I remain interested in seeing that other points of view are accurately represented in the press.

Over the course of time the questions raised during the forum may be discussed beginning with that asked by Debby Fargo, which was why the company, United Wind Energy, LLC, had not signed on to the attorney general's ethics code.

Our attorney recommended we not sign the code of ethics in its present form as it does not include the population of other "developers" such as for shopping malls and plazas, gambling casinos and golf courses, resorts and marinas, etc.

Why should wind developers be isolated and treated any differently than any other commercial or industrial developer? Signing something evenhanded and applying to other industries equally would be agreeable, but signing under duress creates artificial and expensive barriers to good business and is not acceptable.

In America, one ought not be obliged to sign a "loyalty oath" to anyone to prove they obey the law. We would and do obey the law regardless.

Other issues to discuss in the future:

■ Cost of developing a wind project and the government incentives.

■ Benefits to the town and the region including revenue and jobs as well as avoided pollution compared to traditional energy sources.

■ Impact on property values normalized by more significant economic influences.

■ Uses for the energy which can equally be for local use as well as for distribution on the grid.

■ Productivity of wind projects compared to that of traditional energy sources.

■ Environmental issues of visibility, sound, radiation, hazard, health, etc., which may be compared by one's own experiences as well as by proper scientific methods.

Sherret E. Chase

Mahwah, NJ