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Dear Editor;
I have been interested in renewable energy for years, spanning back to high school when I attended an engineering expo at UW-Platteville. I found the Sustainable and Renewable Energy Systems degree, and I've been invested in renewable energy ever since. After graduating I got a job in wind energy and before I knew it, I was working on turbines in my hometown of Darlington. Working at Quilt Block, as well as in Montfort, gave me a unique experience that I feel is important to share with the community. While attending college, I learned of the many benefits that wind energy can have on the environment as well as the economic impacts on the local community. As a technician, I got to see everything firsthand. From staying at hotels, to buying gas and food from gas stations and grocery stores. To even buying supplies at the local hardware store. After a long day, my coworkers and I would head to the local restaurants and bars for dinner. Working at Quilt Block gave me a stable income that allowed me to buy a truck in Darlington. I had several out of state coworkers that bought homes in the area too. All these things have brought money into the community and will continue into the future. The positive impacts of these projects go beyond the farmers and the workers, they benefit us all. Boosting our economy and decreasing our carbon impact, all at the same time. I understand the apprehension of seeing something big and new coming to our area, but it's nothing we haven't seen before. As someone who worked closely on Quilt Block, I know that the turbines are safe. I have firsthand experience, and I can say with confidence that the turbines are not only safe (part of my job was ensuring that) but also beneficial for all of us.
Tomas Zander
Darlington, WI