The Carroll County Quorum Court met for nearly 90 minutes Tuesday, June 20, at the Eastern District Courthouse in Berryville, hearing more opposition and support for a proposed wind farm near Green Forest.

Scout Clean Energy, based in Boulder, Colo., plans for its “Nimbus” project to expand over approximately 9,000 acres — about 14 square miles — in Carroll County, much of it along County Road 905 southeast of Green Forest. Scout says the project could generate up to 180 megawatts of electricity at peak demand — enough to power almost 30,000 homes. Scout says it has signed lease agreements with more than 50 landowners and estimates that the 30-year project will generate more than $14 million in lease payments and $25 million in tax revenue for the county.

The planned project has drawn vigorous opposition from opponents who say it will be harmful to wildlife, have adverse health effects and pose a potential safety risk for humans and potentially cause significant damage to county roads, along with disturbing the natural beauty of the area.

The planned wind farm has been a topic of public comments at quorum court meetings for the past several months, with some justices of the peace responding that they have no authority to intervene in the project.

With discussion of the wind farm among JPs listed as an agenda item at Tuesday’s meeting, along with discussion of a potential land use commission, County Judge David Writer limited public comments on the matter.

Scout’s Dave Iadarola, project manager for the Nimbus project, presented JPs with “about 30” letters of support for the project and told them that Scout has completed federally required wetlands and cultural studies. He also said he met recently with representatives of the Green Forest School District to answer their questions about the project. He also said Scout plans to hold another public meeting on the project after the design has been completed.

Arturo Calvillo also addressed JPs during public comments, expressing support for the Nimbus project. He said he recently met with Green Forest School District superintendent Matt Summers. According to Calvillo, the school district expects to receive about $900,000 in additional tax revenue from the wind project in the first year alone.

“So, yeah, it might be stepping on somebody’s toes, but it’s also going to help the county a lot,” Calvillo said. “And I think we’re all for the better of the county.”

Tom King of Osage followed Calvillo to the microphone and spoke in opposition to the project.

“I just want to say on the idea of the county making a lot of money, is the county going to have to pick up the tab for turbines that are broken and just abandoned by the companies? I don’t know about this particular company, but the wind turbine industry has a history of just leaving stuff behind that falls to the owner of the property to pay for. If the owner of the property can’t pay for it, is the county going to have to pay for it?”

Another speaker, whose name could not be heard clearly but who identified herself as living on County Road 905, also spoke against the project, saying that while there may be some economic benefits, wind farms in other states have had adverse effects on people’s health and quality of life. She said the project also poses environmental risks, could endanger water supplies and is likely to lower property values.

JPs then moved into the agenda items, beginning with discussion of their thoughts on the proposed wind farm.

District 10 JP Jerry King, who requested that the discussion be placed on the agenda, said he was frustrated that state law forbids JPs from discussing county business between themselves in private.

“For the record, I totally disagree with the law,” King said.

He went on to say that most calls he has received from constituents regarding the project have focused on whether there is sufficient wind speed in the area to make the project feasible.

“I don’t want to get 10 years down the road and say: ‘Well, we knew it wouldn’t work,’ ” he said.

King, who was a longtime member of the Green Forest School Board, said the number he received regarding the potential tax revenue for the school district was $600,000.

“That’s wonderful, but I want to make sure they’re going to work,” he said. “If some independent people came in and studied the wind speeds and said ‘Hey, you’re good …” District 6 JP Craig Hicks then raised the question of what would happen if Scout disagreed with the results of a wind-speed study and wanted to proceed with the project anyway.

“What difference does it make?” responded District 11 JP John Howerton. “They’re the ones investing the money.”

District 3 JP Harrie Farrow, whose district includes Eureka Springs, said she supports “green energy” but said she was concerned about the “amount of destruction” that the project would entail.

Farrow also said she believed that any JPs who could benefit financially from the project should disclose that information.

“I’m not,” said King, who operates a poultry farm. “Even if I was, I’d still want to check and make sure it’s going to work.”

Both King and District 7 JP Kellie Matt said they had recently vacationed in areas where wind turbines are common and had talked with residents in those areas who expressed skepticism about wind farms.

“I can see the pros, I can see the cons,” Matt said. “But the big picture, it looks like 90 percent of the people are not for them. And we have to do what our people want. We’re elected to represent what they want.”