Wind Watch

[72doug2,2S]

Wind Watch | The facts about wind power, wind energy, wind turbines, wind farms

Large-scale wind turbines cause significant harm to wildlife, people, and the environment. In return, because of the wind’s low density, intermittency, and high variability, they do next to nothing for reducing carbon and other emissions or dependence on other fuels.

I knew about the crazy red lights that are truly an eyesore, and that they kill birds and bats. But I never heard about the noise, crazy shadows, property values and the dishonest tactics that these developers use to invade rural and impoverished towns.

Netflix has a film called Windfall that I watched last night. The true story is very disturbing.

Industrial-scale wind energy is widely promoted as a clean and sustainable source of energy. It brings, however, many adverse impacts of its own which are often ignored or even denied. Of most immediate concern for communities targeted for wind power facilities are their huge size and unavoidable noise, and strobe lights day and night, with the consequent loss of amenity and, in many cases, health.
People concerned with the environment are increasingly aware of the negative impacts of the giant machines and their additional supporting infrastructure (including heavy-duty roads, transformers, and powerlines) on wetlands, birds, bats, beneficial insects, and other wildlife — both directly and by degrading, fragmenting, and destroying habitat for their erection.
Considering these and other impacts, the construction of industrial wind energy facilities cannot be justified in the rural and wild places that developers usually target. They do more harm than good.

[porwolf]

Originally Posted by 72doug2,2S

In return, because of the wind’s low density, intermittency, and high variability, they do next to nothing for reducing carbon and other emissions or dependence on other fuels.

Next to nothing? They produce 8% of power in Germany. Everything helps. Otherwise we will suffer more CO2 pollution, man made global warming, fracking hazards, oil rig eye sores, oil drilling leaks, pipe line leaks, natural forest mountain topping, nuclear waste problems, and other disgusting, permanent, unnecessary, destruction of our environment.

[72doug2,2S]

I've only seen these monsters from maybe a five mile distance, but I'd love to see a ban on this type of wind power in my county.

That 8%, don't forget they don't just give electricity, they use it. Each one of these industry sized behemoths takes electricity from the grid when not powered up. They have to keep the turbine rolling even when the power is not provided to the grid, lights, etc.

1 or 20 doesn't sound so bad, what about 170 when no more than 20 were promised? Property owners are completely helpless.

If you have Netflix, watch that film Windfall.

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by 72doug2,2S

...

Large-scale wind turbines cause significant harm to wildlife,...

They do? Gee, thanks for letting me know!

As a professional scientist who works on birds (only for 40 years though) I thought that all the scientific studies only showed that you have to be careful in siting the things to avoid migratory flyways.

I guess it is better to burn coal.

[cairns]

I don't understand. If they're so wonderful why don't the Kennedy's want to see them off Martha's Vineyard?

Could you lib explain that to us?

[porwolf]

Originally Posted by 72doug2,2S

I've only seen these monsters from maybe a five mile distance, but I'd live to see a ban on this type of wind power in my county.

So, Doug, you rather look at this, to get more oil?



Or this, to get more coal?

[Mo_Gearhead]

I think "Wind advocates" should investigate installing masts, mainsails, jibs and spinnakers on their automobiles.

Just be sure to limit your mast height to clear all bridges/underpasses and install a industrial-strength turn signal relay ...to allow for all that "tacking."

Just practice staying in the right lane only please.

[speedracing944]

Originally Posted by Mo_Gearhead

I think "Wind advocates" should investigate installing masts, mainsails, jibs and spinnakers on their automobiles.

Just be sure to limit your mast height to clear all bridges/underpasses and install a industrial-strength turn signal relay ...to allow for all that "tacking."

Just practice staying in the right lane only please.

Almost faster than a fossil fuel burning Prius and powered by wind.





Speedy

[RWebb]

here is some no-alarmist info:

http://www.ewashtenaw.org/government/departments/planning_environment/planning/wind_power/Wind%20Energy%20Birds%20and%20Bats%20Workshop

[72doug2,2S]

Originally Posted by RWebb

here is some no-alarmist info:

http://www.ewashtenaw.org/government/departments/planning_environment/planning/wind_power/Wind%20Energy%20Birds%20and%20Bats%20Workshop

Live next to one or 170 and tell me about alarmists.

[Taz's Master]

"Because US wind development was driven initially by
investment tax credits based on installation rather than on performance, early wind energy
developments were not always productive, and there were some serious problems with
equipment reliability.
Improved Performance, Lower Costs. When the investment tax credits expired in 1986, the
only path to profitability was to improve the performance of wind energy technology.
Since the late 1980s wind energy technology has improved greatly, significantly improving
reliability."

Certainly this point is worthy of consideration.

[Rick Lee]

I've read this is happening in CA faster than the eagles can reproduce.

[island911]

Damn. . . that's tough to watch. ...I mean, bird brain aside, you know it's coming and then BLAM - the cognitive dissonance hits the greener's little brain.

Well done, Rick.

[Rick Lee]

I ride my bike through the huge windmill farm on I-10 near Palm Springs at least 6x per year. It's usually so windy, it's hard to stay up on the bike. And there are about 1000 windmills there. Yet, no matter how windy it is, at least half of them are not turning. I have a hard time believing those windmills will ever pay for themselves., even if they were all always turning.

[72doug2,2S]

Originally Posted by porwolf

So, Doug, you rather look at this, to get more oil?



Or this, to get more coal?

Where are the back yards and kids trying to play?

[porwolf]

Originally Posted by 72doug2,2S

Where are the back yards and kids trying to play?

Well, Doug, do you prefer to look at smoke stacks from you back yard?

[72doug2,2S]

Originally Posted by porwolf

Well, Doug, do you prefer to look at smoke stacks from you back yard?

If you watched that video, you'd know I'd take the stacks.

[porwolf]

Originally Posted by 72doug2,2S

If you watched that video, you'd know I'd take the stacks.

How about then stacks blowing smoke into your back yard? That would be the equivalent alternative impact on a nearby home.

[72doug2,2S]

Originally Posted by porwolf

How about then stacks blowing smoke into your back yard? That would be the equivalent alternative impact on a nearby home.

There could be a case where stacks have ruined the use and benefits of property for those around them. But, it is not likely that they would be your neighbors putting up the stacks.

[on2wheels52]

re the video of the shadow flicker in WI, for myself that would get annoying real quick.
fwiw, the county where I grew up in Iowa is home to a farm of them. I hadn't visited there for years, when I did it was like being on some planet from Star Wars.
Jim