From Root River Energy's Spring 2009 Newsletter...
Dan Miller is a Fillmore County landowner who raises corn, hay, Angus beef cattle, and dairy heifers. He also teaches farm business management through the Minnesota State College system and Riverland Community College. Miller is proudly involved with Root River Energy and has signed up 151 acres with the company. He spoke with us during Earth Week about wind energy and Fillmore & Mower Counties’ community project.
Why did you decide to sign a lease with Root River Energy? What excites you about the project?
I signed up with Root River Energy because I felt it would add even greater value in returns to the land with very little drawbacks. As a community-based project, it can also create local economic development. Plus, I think it fits into our country’s energy policy well.
What do you see as the benefits of community wind?
You’ve really got three main benefits with community wind: 1) local economic development, 2) renewable energy, and 3) energy independence for our country. Environmentally it is a very positive thing, with almost no environmental impact compared to other sources of energy such as fossil fuels or nuclear power.
When did you first become interested in wind energy?
I’ve always been intrigued by the use of wind for energy, even as a boy I’d see windmills used to pump water out of wells for cattle. These modern wind turbines are really amazing compared to what we had to harness the power of the wind back then. The information provided by Root River Energy at the early meetings was really good and really sparked my interest in wind again. I’m a strong proponent for the use of wind energy. In general it’s a win-win situation for almost every party. The only drawback is that it can change the landscape, but from what I’ve seen, Root River Energy’s developers do everything they can to mitigate that effect.