Va. Mountain Wind Farm Gets Initial OK

[meganmonkey]

MONTEREY, Va. (AP) - A plan to put 19 towering wind turbines on a pair of mountain ridges won initial county approval despite vigorous public opposition, likely setting up a court challenge.

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With some of the most consistently strong wind in the eastern United States, Highland County is considered ideal for industrial-scale wind energy. But opponents say turbines would sacrifice its greatest asset - its scenic beauty - for one man's profit and uncertain tax revenues.

Neighbors gave official notice last week that they would sue under the Endangered Species Act if the construction permit is granted.

Three endangered species - two types of bats and the North American flying squirrel - are known to inhabit the area. Migratory birds also use the ridgelines.

more...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5143945,00.html

[mongo]

1. For man-made structures

These giant turbines are very elegant structures. There's a whole ridge full of them north of Davis, WV.

Of course, they are mostly symbolic. They don't produce nearly enough power to compete with coal and gas. But why would anyone be opposed to what is a step in the right direction.

Flying Squirrels? These structures tower Hundreds of feet above the tree line. How can that impact Rocky?

[MasonJar]

2. i've read that the windmills can be a danger to migrating birds.

I am not sure why unless the birds cannot tell what is there when the windmills are moving.

[MisterP]

5. mostly if they're placed in migration paths: the death toll varies very

widely (tongue-twister time!) depending on location.

[chunkylover55]

3. "Of course, they are mostly symbolic. They don't produce nearly enough

power to compete with coal and gas"

Not true. See here:

http://www.nature.com/news/2005/050523/full/050523-8.html

Wind map shows top sites for turbines. Earth's breezes prove fast enough to provide plenty of power.

Modellers have devised a map that could guide the positioning of wind turbines. It shows wind speeds 80 metres above the ground,which is the right height to turn most turbines' blades and generate electricity.

Electricity generation becomes practical at locations with average wind speeds of about 25 kilometres per hour. The researchers say there are enough places with this kind of wind to produce 72 terawatts of electricity annually, in theory. Just 20% of this could satisfy the world's energy needs, the researchers claim in the Journal of Geophysical Research1.

. . .

Although this limits the potential sites, the untapped reserves of wind power could be even greater than 72 terawatts. "All our numbers are low estimates," says Archer.

Some of the world's windiest sites include the North Sea, the tip of South America, Tasmania, and North America's great lakes. The overall champ is Mount Washington in New Hampshire, where winds clock in at 60 kilometres an hour. "The wind speed there is incredible," says Archer.

[evworldeditor]

4. Wall Street Isn't Into Symbolism, Folks

I attended the Renewable Energy Finance Forum in New York a few weeks back at which there were some 600 investment bankers and venture capitalist, managing an estimated $100 Billion in funds.

Here's a another link on wind power entitled: Wind farms could meet energy needs

http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/science/07/15/wind.power/index.html

[ScotTissue]

6. Wind farms are cool looking

Am I the only one who thinks wind farms are beautiful?

[qnr]

7. I love them too. There is a new one in Weatherford, Oklahoma that I pass

often while riding my scooter.