A visit to Tucker County — To get a sense of the visual impact these wind turbines have on the landscape, we recommend a drive to Tucker County (WV). Take US Rt. 33 west to Harman, to Rt. 32 north through Canaan Valley, on to Davis and then Thomas to the junction with US Rt. 219. Either Rt. 219 south over the bridge or Rt. 219 north straight ahead will take you to the wind turbines. The photos on this site were taken at both locations. We recommend taking Rt. 219 south - there's more parking. Turn right at Sugarlands Rd. It is 62 miles from Franklin to Thomas and another 4 miles either way to the crest of Backbone Mtn.

Backbone Mountain — If you take this trip, there are a few things to be aware of. When the wind turbines first come into view on the distant horizon as you approach Davis, they look like cute little tinker-toy constructions. They are about 8 miles away. Only within the last half-mile does the enormity of these giant turbines sink in. They are 345 ft. high.

The ones proposed for Pendleton County will be even higher - 410 ft. Also, because Pendleton County's ridge and valley landscape is more compressed and abrupt than the flattened, spread out landscape of the Allegheny Plateau, the turbines will seem really up close and in your face - that is, if they come to Pendleton County.

Another thing to consider is that the area of Tucker County where the turbines are located is a bleak landscape of reclaimed strip mines, sludge ponds and spoil banks. It has an aura of derelict, grimy exploitation and ruin to which giant turbines have dealt the last degrading blow. Pendleton County is not now nor ever was that kind of landscape and it doesn't deserve that same kind of fate.

Enough of gut impressions. It is not just aesthetic considerations that prompt the opposition to giant turbines. There are practical considerations to oppose Liberty Gap as well: they are unreliable, they are going to lower real estate values and they are not good for the environment.

Remember, these blades are constantly rotating
— except when they're broken or the wind doesn't blow.


Eight of the 44 turbines in place on Backbone Mt.