WHY TO OPPOSE BLACK RIDGE WIND AND SOLAR: (Concho, Concho Valley, and Vernon)

IS OUR WATER AFFECTED?

Absolutely. Millions of gallons from our wells and aquifers will be consumed during construction and throughout the project's lifespan, including for turbine bases, electrical transmission towers, solar installations, maintenance buildings, battery storage, substations, and extensive road construction spanning 80-90 miles. This also involves dust control and cleaning solar panels and turbine blades. The vibrations generated by turbines could potentially collapse our aquifers. Contaminants such as fuels, oils, and fiberglass from turbine blades and construction materials might seep into our groundwater. The local vegetation acts as a sponge, capturing water and snow to replenish the aquifer, which will be eliminated.

ARE THERE HEALTH AFFECTS?

Yes. There are audible mechanical noises (whooshing, swishing, thumping, constant hum) that never stop. These sounds will just reverberate in the mountain areas. There is even stronger inaudible sound waves called infrasound, they send vibrations to the body, organs and the brain. There is vibration above and below ground that will affect the aquifer, foundations of homes, people and animals. The larger the turbine and the number of turbines determine the decibels of audible sound and the inaudible sounds (they can turn over 200 mph). Electromagnetic waves are also contributors.

Also sound waves, EMP's, infrasound can interfere with radio communication for police, fire, emergency vehicles, HAM, cell phones and two-way radios.

CAN YOU NAME SOME OF THE HEALTH AFFECTS?

Yes. Fatigue, headaches, elevated heart rate, sleep deprivation, poor concentration, hyperactivity, anxiety, confusion, slow learning, tinnitus, nervousness, distractions, irritability, hypertension, dizziness, balance problems, hearing loss and orientation. Research shows that they not only can cause health effects, they do!

CAN INFRASOUND AFFECT OUR CHILDREN?

The fetus in the womb is just developing, newborns and toddlers are still just developing and school age children are trying to learn to study. Because these infrasound vibrations can target the organs and brain, it can also definitely affect their IQ and create learning disabilities; birth defects have also been reported.

CAN THESE TURBINES AFFECT OUR PETS, POULTRY, FARM ANIMALS AND WILDLIFE?

Yes, many pets and animals are even more sensitive to audible and inaudible sound and vibrations than even people are, that's why they many times are chosen for special jobs to help people. There have been foot and hoof deformities reported in animals, wind and solar do not coexist well with ranching and farming.

CAN INFRASOUND BE MEASURED?

Yes. Studies by Los Alamos and Sandia National Labs measured infrasound with seismographs (which are used to measure earthquakes), coming from Red Mesa Windmill Industrial Complex in New Mexico. They recorded infrasound traveling 56 miles for 60 turbines that are 397 feet tall. Black Ridge will be 146 turbines and 780 feet tall. Vernon and Concho residential homes are within 1/2 mile of the turbines. There is also an elementary school in Vernon and one in Concho that is 2 1/2 miles from the turbines.

WILL THERE BE PROBLEMS WITH CONSTRUCTION IN THIS VOLCANIC AREA?

Yes. Experts in volcanology and geology have confirmed that this area is highly unstable for such construction. The proposed turbines (146 of them) are 780 feet tall which is the equivalent to a 78 story building and weighs over 1000+ tons. Because they are being built on cinders like what we put in our driveways, that amount of weight and vibration can just crush them, along with our aquifers. This construction job can be likened to putting a spoon in Jello. These extreme conditions can increase the cost and water use of each part of the project by 2 to 3 times a normal project. The construction will go on for 2 years with trucks running on already deteriorated highways.

WILL IT TIE UP TRAFFIC TO TRANSPORT MATERIALS FOR THIS PROJECT?

Yes. It may require up to 20 trucks or more to transport the parts for just one turbine, with one turbine blade being the length of 6 car lengths long. So up to 2,920 truck loads just for the turbine parts on Highway 60 and 61, traveling 22.5 miles per hour. This does not include the massive amount of other materials needed for the huge industrial complex this is.

CAN THE TURBINES CATCH FIRE?

Yes. This can occur due to wear and tear; lightning strikes or just the brakes trying to stop the turbines when wind speeds get to high for them to run (over 60 mph winds). Yes they can start forest fires. How can the fire be put out? Now that has to be the $64,000 question. They just burn, throw sparks and drip hundreds of gallons of fuel, oil (200 gal), fiberglass and epoxy compounds onto the ground. No one has the equipment to fight a fire at that height.

ARE THERE OTHER DANGERS?

Yes. The project will destroy wildlife habitats and cattle grazing, food sources, birds and bats run into them or get sucked into them, broken turbine blades can travel a minimum of a mile and penetrate a roof or structure wall. Ice on blades can also travel great distances.

WHAT ABOUT TOURISM AND HUNTING?

Yes and yes. This is a sought-after area for tourism because of the peace, quiet, beauty, clean air and water of the mountains and valleys. It's a premium hunting area; people come from all over even other countries to hunt in the area.

WHAT ABOUT FLICKERING AND RED STROBE LIGHTS BLINKING?

Yes. It has that too. When the sun hits the rotating blades, it causes constant flickering. At night the red strobe lights are present on all of the turbines to warn airplanes of the area and height.

CAN THE WIND TURBINES CHANGE WEATHER PATTERNS?

Yes. Their presence can affect cloud formations, ground temperatures, humidity and soil conditions.

DOES IT AFFECT HOME VALUES?

Yes. In recent weeks we have heard of 3 families who have refused a sale because of the wind and solar projects possibly going in. It does reduce the value of properties and of course their saleability. Why? Your peace, quiet, beauty, and all the things you seek here is gone.

IS THIS ABNORMAL TO PUT A HUGE INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX SO CLOSE TO A COMMUNITY?

Yes. With many projects in the past, these industrial complexes are placed in remote areas. They are now becoming closer and closer to residential homes and communities. In the case of Black Ridge Wind and Solar it is literally being placed on top of the thriving Communities of Concho, Concho Valley and Vernon.

WILL IT AFFECT OUR ELECTRICAL GRID?

Yes. The existing electrical grid does not handle the electrical demands of our system now. And because intermittent wind and solar are not reliable, they can actually destabilize the power grid. The increased load from these projects would need substantial electrical grid improvements. Otherwise, wind and solar would require intentional outages to protect the grid from harm. When they do these deliberate outages in our system, we will suffer in order to keep big cities powered up. This electrical energy (wind and solar) from these projects will not benefit the White Mountain communities, it will be sold elsewhere.

ARE YOU FUNDING THIS PROJECT?

Yes. Thru your tax dollars. The projects receive investment Tax Credit (ITC); Projection Tax Credit (PTC); Low Income Communities Bonus Credits; Inflation Reduction Act; State Incentives like: Additional tax credits, rebates for solar and wind installations; Direct Payments and Transferability; Labor and Domestic Content Requirements; Financing Mechanisms: tax exempt bonds, loan guarantees, low interest loans; and Emissions Based Credits and Technology. There are some with a deadline to start construction by July 5, 2026. Contact people in Washington and in the State of Arizona and ask them to stop this funding now.

ARE THERE OTHER LOSSES?

Yes. There continues to be so many losses and detriments to this industrial complex going in. There is and will be continuous loss of agricultural (farms) and ranch land, along with areas to build residential and even consider to put in commercial developments that will help Concho, Concho Valley and Vernon to not have to travel as far as Show Low to shop or find amenities.