US finally catches up with the wind

[Merlyn]

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/04/28/cape ... tml?hpt=T2
(it only took nine years of debate... )

The 130 turbines are to be located several miles from the Massachusetts shore in the iconic waters of Nantucket Sound. The interior secretary said Cape Wind, as the project is known, is the start of a "new energy frontier."

Better than oil rigs exploding off shore eh?

[oaklight]

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/04/28/cape.cod.wind.farm/index.html?hpt=T2
(it only took nine years of debate... )

The 130 turbines are to be located several miles from the Massachusetts shore in the iconic waters of Nantucket Sound. The interior secretary said Cape Wind, as the project is known, is the start of a "new energy frontier."

Better than oil rigs exploding off shore eh?

I wonder if they'll survive the periodic storms we get off the coast, or if they'll be a danger to navigation. What about migratory birds, will they interfere with them?

[Merlyn]

I figure we are going to find out.
A few other things, like what if the wires short out? If one falls can they get it back?
Will planes ever run into them?

But with all of that, it has to be better than the oil clean up problem we are doing now;
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/04/29/ne ... lling-rig/

Oil rigs are definitely more dangerous, look worse, pose serious eco-threat and are targets for terrorist attacks... (they have yet to say why this rig just blew up..)

[oaklight]

I figure we are going to find out.
A few other things, like what if the wires short out? If one falls can they get it back?
Will planes ever run into them?

But with all of that, it has to be better than the oil clean up problem we are doing now;
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/04/29/ne ... lling-rig/

Oil rigs are definitely more dangerous, look worse, pose serious eco-threat and are targets for terrorist attacks... (they have yet to say why this rig just blew up..)

I live in Massachusetts and for my part, the only problem I have with them, is the objections of the Native American tribes who consider that stretch of water sacred. I personally think windmills are rather picturesque.

[Merlyn]

Of the ideas which cross my mind...
Make every large city responsible to implement renewable and eco-friendly power as an agenda item with a time-line and objective plan. Wind, hydro and other forms of generating electric power locally.
(The "not in my back yard" argument has to end, and sound strategy must be made)
Manufacture and install new LED technology bulbs in every street light which do not cause light pollution and draw 1/10th of the power that metal halide and mercury vapor lamps draw.
(Imagine being able to see the stars at night, eliminate the areas which never see dark, and with the number of street lamps the savings would be immediate)
Implement on-grid solar across the board for all suburbs.
(Retrofit all older homes and mandate by building code that all new construction be solar on-grid.)
Implement geothermal for all new construction.
(Require by building code that all new construction be geothermal insulated, heated and cooled)

And... All off-shore drilling must have a series of fail-safes in place, not just one.

[Corwen]

I wonder if they'll survive the periodic storms we get off the coast, or if they'll be a danger to navigation. What about migratory birds, will they interfere with them?

We've had them in Europe for years and years with no noticeable problems. If they can survive in the North Sea they can survive anywhere. Modern ships are perfectly capable of navigating around obstacles (after all they'd soon run aground if they didn't!). Modern wind turbines have blades which turn very slowly and these seem safe to birds, though I agree that the old designs in use 25 years ago, with small rapidly turning blades were a hazard to birds if poorly located. Still, even if a few birds were killed, it would only be a drop in the ocean compared to the vast numbers displaced by modern agriculture, open cast coal mining or killed in oil spills. If you are concerned have a look at this article from the RSPB (Britains bird protection charity) http://www.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/policy/w ... /index.asp

Besides the energy has to be produced somehow, and wind turbines would seem a safer bet than nuclear power, coal or oil.

[Merlyn]

Perhaps if we all see what is making our electrical power, we may naturally use less of it.
Right now we have people die, in hazardous jobs, as well as serious environmental impacts in the making of electricity.

IMO this is because the vast majority never has to risk their own life for it. We could ask a fisherman in the Gulf right now if he thinks present methods are worth the risk...
If we did have to do the work ourselves, see the impact, we would think differently IMO.