A photo (enhanced slightly by the newspaper for printing purposes) posted on Dec. 13 to the Tama County Against Turbines’ Facebook page of a supposed ‘oil leak’ on a Vienna Wind Farm turbine. PHOTO COURTESY OF TAMA COUNTY AGAINST TURBINES/FACEBOOK

GLADBROOK – A recent photo of what appears to be an “oil leak” on a Vienna Wind Farm turbine garnered a lot of reaction recently when posted to the Tama County Against Turbines public group page on Facebook, but according to MidAmerican Energy – the wind farm’s operator – heavy fog in the area that day was merely distorting a turbine light.

“I am happy to confirm that the photo pasted to Facebook is only the FAA-required light at the top of our wind turbine distorted by the fog. There was no fire,” Tina Hoffman, MidAmerican vice president of corporate communications and public affairs, told the newspaper in a Dec. 23 email.

The grainy photo in question – which appears to depict a small, glowing orange orb atop the turbine – was posted on Dec. 13 to TCAT’s Facebook page by administrator Bev Espenscheid. Espenscheid, a resident of Tama County, wrote alongside the photo, “If you don’t think this happens in Tama County … think again! This appears to be an oil leak in the Vienna project near Gladbrook! This project just repowered with new equipment.”

Prior to MidAmerican Energy confirming the photo did not depict an oil leak (or fire), the newspaper reached out to Craig Sash, lieutenant and training officer for Gladbrook Fire and Rescue, to learn if the department had received any calls regarding a wind turbine oil leak. Roughly 30 of the Vienna Wind Farm turbines are located in Gladbrook Fire and Rescue’s territory.

“The only thing I can say with 100% certainty is that TCAT will never let facts get in the way of their narrative,” Sash said in an email. “This is the first I’ve heard about it. I can say that Gladbrook has not responded to any turbine related calls and to my knowledge neither have the bordering departments with turbines in their territory, as it would likely have triggered a mutual aid response for us as well.”

Sash went on to say that oil leaking from a wind turbine is of course possible as turbines “are mechanical and breakdowns happen.”

“No different than a tractor, combine, sprayer, or semi,” he continued. “As a farmer, I can about guarantee that every farmer has had a machine hemorrhage more oil than we care to admit on more than one occasion.”

If there had been a fire on or near a turbine, Hoffman said the best thing to do is call 911.

“While wind turbine fires are fairly rare, if someone were to see a fire, they should immediately contact local emergency services or 911,” Hoffman said. “We do work closely with local first responders to create emergency response plans for various scenarios and also collaborate on proactive training drills.”