Kindred’s Kaleidoscope: Wind Power Is Not Worth It –Suzanne Albright / D&C News

Here is someone else who writes and adds truth to my earlier writings on the subject.

There is a major worldwide push for ‘green’ renewable energy, a topic we read and hear about almost daily here in upstate New York, wind energy being the most talked about.

Having researched (as have I) wind energy extensively, I find more information regarding the negative realities of industrial wind energy (IWE) daily than I have time to read.  However, local media tends to overlook reports of the damaging effects on other economies and environments.

Because IWE is only available when the wind blows within a narrow range for sustained periods of time, backup sources can never shut down. Denmark (for example) has over 6000 turbines, and reportedly hasn’t closed one fossil fuel power plant to date. They now require more coal-generated power to compensate.  A study has shown that their carbon dioxide emissions increased 36 %  in 2006.  In Colorado, the American Tradition Institute sued the state in 2011 over renewable energy mandates, claiming IWE creates more pollution than it saves.

Each turbine requires hundreds of gallons of oil and lubricating fluid.  Multiply that times the 195 turbines at the Maple Ridge facility in Lewis County, New York State.  Potential for chemical discharge during damage or maintenance is ghastly.

And what about damaged and aged-out turbines? Each one is the size of a 40-50 story building. How will thousands of them be disposed of?  Just look at Hawaii to see the horror of deserted, rusted turbines.  The mammoth blades are made of carbon fiber composite.  It can’t be recycled or incinerated (too toxic).  With the aging of Denmark’s turbines, they are facing a major disposal problem.  In 2011, Denmark’s leading business journal stated, “There exists no solution.”

What about the cost to taxpayers?  More than thirty federally funded “green energy” companies are failing or bankrupt.  The 2009 stimulus set aside $80 billion in subsidies for “green” energy projects.  In 2012, taxpayers contributed $13.5 billion in addition to $5.8 billion I grants, for a mere 3.6 percent of the energy produced nationwide.  And how much of that money goes to manufacturers in Europe (or Asia)?  We then pay again for the energy produced and for the cost of backup energy.

Regarding bird kills, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates half a million birds are slaughtered by turbines yearly. (Many of the turbines are positioned along the migratory path of birds./Don.) American Bird Conservancy projects that could more than double in 20 years if the current administration continues down the IWE path.

There is so much more that consumers and taxpayers need to know. I challenge the media to look more deeply.

I quoted Suzanne Albright’s letter to the Democrat and Chronicle because it could not send the liberal press a more clear and well researched set of reasons supporting her media press challenge.  But knowing the left-wing love affair with wind power and stubbornness of journalists to do no more than follow talking points generated by the White House regarding the subject and material from this excellent essay, I felt it vital to express the message as best my site and readership allows.  I think my readers will agree with me to say, “thank you!” Perhaps that is why my little farm, pond-lake and feeders have not seen the normal return of my bird life as yet.