'Save God's Country' presentation Wednesday

A citizens' group formed in opposition to the industrial wind plant proposed for ridgetops in northern Potter County will hold an informational meeting on Wednesday.

The site of the next "Save God's Country" (SGC) meeting -- Hebron Township -- is no accident.

Wind energy companies have inquired about the possible leasing of property in the township for construction of massive wind turbines that generate electricity.

SGC will make a presentation and field questions at 7:00 p.m. in the Hebron Community Building. The meeting site is located next to the Hebron Seventh Day Baptist Church on East Carley Hill Road in the village of Hebron.

An original plan by international energy giant AES Corp. called for the construction of as many as 79 turbines, each more than 400 feet high, in Ulysses and Hector townships. SGC members report that they have become aware of inquiries by wind energy interests for the leasing of property not far from Hebron, as well as property near the Dutch Hill/ Inez area, south of Coudersport.

SGC's objections to the plan are based on environmental and aesthetic considerations. Bob White, an AES Corp. representative, has attended prior SGC sessions to monitor the presentations and offer the energy company's response to some of the issues that have been raised.

Also attending each of the meetings has been Jim Hoopes, a Ulysses area farmer who is leasing land to AES and is a vocal supporter of the wind concept.