Not everyone who lives near wind farms hates them. This article in the Janesville Gazette, the newspaper for Janesville, Wis., tells a realistic perspective on how wind power affected the local community.

The paper knocked on doors to find out how residents feel about the wind turbines that have popped up in the last 10 years.

Of course a few people thought the turbines were ugly, but many individuals said they actually like the turbines – saying they sit on the porch regularly, watching the blades spin.

One dairy farmer leases out his land for nine turbines, and appreciates the steady income returned from the deal – especially in a time when the price of milk fluctuates so much. The turbines account for 10 percent of his total income.

As for sound, a couple residents sued the utility company, saying the turbines created too much noise. But others just got used to it.

Interestingly, the community members the paper interviewed said the turbines didn't affect their property values, and they haven't noticed any problems with dead birds.

Judging from these people's reactions, if beauty could be increased and noise could be decreased, wind power may have many more supporters.

I've seen dozens of press releases about new wind turbine technology and companies boasting about the amount of potential renewable energy, just as I've seen many a horror story about noise, unaesthetic qualities and dead birds. It's not often we find a realistic, balanced look at wind power in the media these days.