In issue 30 of “Istotne Informacje,” we reported that on 14 September 2010, a meeting concerning the construction of a wind farm in the Warta Bolesławiecka municipality was held at the Community Centre in Tomaszów Bolesławiecki. Around 200 residents of the municipality protested against the wind turbines. During the meeting, doctor Janusz Chudyba spoke about the dangers posed by living in close proximity to wind power plants.
According to the doctor, people exposed to infrasound for long periods may suffer from headaches, sleep and concentration disorders, and other ailments. At the time, mayor Mirosław Haniszewski assured residents that no binding decision had yet been made and that only an environmental decision had been issued. The mayor also argued that it was not too late to block construction of the wind farm.
The municipality’s residents present at the meeting voted against the construction of the wind farm. The mayor announced that he would comply with the protesters’ decision.
In November, in the article “No” to a wind farm in Tomaszów – investor responds, we wrote that the investor believed the local government was making it difficult for municipality residents to access information about the project. In an email to our editorial office, Beata Butwicka, spokesperson for Green Bear Bolesławiec 202, wrote: “After two years of cooperation between the Warta Bolesławiecka Municipality and GB Bolesławiec 202 sp. z o.o. concerning the wind farm project, the position of the Mayor and the Municipal Council suddenly changed radically. All because of 149 signatures.” She added: “What caused the Warta Bolesławiecka Municipal Council, after two years of an open information policy and an open investment process, to decide that the just under 10-percent share of residents who signed the petition should deprive this municipality of such an important investment and substantial revenue? What are the officials’ motives? Are they the same as those of the residents? If so, why are they protecting them from information so fiercely?”
Will there be a wind farm?
In December, a group of survey takers visited more than 300 households located closest to the planned investment. Among other things, they asked whether residents supported or opposed a wind farm in the municipality. Of those surveyed, 43% turned out to support the wind farm, 20% had no formed opinion on the matter, and almost 70% declared that they would attend a meeting organized by the investor. So who does not want a wind farm in Warta Bolesławiecka, and why? Beata Butwicka wonders.
The survey also asked about residents’ concerns related to construction of the wind farm. “It turned out that most residents know little about this investment. They do not know where the wind turbines are to be built or how many there will be. They obtain their knowledge about the project from neighbors or local media,” the spokesperson states. “The survey also shows that residents’ concerns stem mainly from leaflets distributed by local opponents of the wind farm.”
Czy widzisz zagrożenia w inwestycji farmy wiatrowej?
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The investor is organizing a meeting with residents of the Warta Bolesławiecka municipality. It will take place on Friday, 14 January, at the Community Centre in Tomaszów Bolesławiecki. It will begin at 5:00 p.m..
We will return to this matter.