Alerts
These postings are provided to help publicize the efforts of affiliated groups and individuals related to industrial wind energy development. Most of the notices posted here are not the product of nor are they necessarily endorsed by National Wind Watch.
Wind Farm Scam
An excellent gift for your local councillors/selectmen/zoning administrators! (Combine it with Wind Turbine Syndrome, by Dr. Nina Pierpont.)
The spectre of global warming and the political panic surrounding it has triggered a goldrush for renewable energy sources without an open discussion of the merits and drawbacks of each. In The Wind Farm Scam Dr Etherington argues that in the case of wind power the latter far outweigh the former. Wind turbines cannot generate enough energy to reduce global CO2 levels to a meaningful degree; what’s more wind power is by nature intermittent and cannot generate a steady output, necessitating back-up coal and gas power plants that significantly negate the saving of greenhouse gas emissions. In addition to the inefficacy of wind power there are ecological drawbacks, including damage to habitats, wildlife and the far-from-insignificant aesthetic drawback of the assault upon natural beauty and the pristine landscape, which wind turbines entail. Dr Etherington argues that wind power has been, and is being, excessively financed at the cost of consumers who have not been consulted, nor informed that this effective subsidy is being paid from their bills to support an industry that cannot be cost efficient or, ultimately, favour the cause it purports to support.
John Etherington was a Reader in Ecology at the University of Wales, Cardiff. Since his retirement from the University in 1990, he has devoted himself to researching the implications of intermittently available renewable electricity generation, in particular wind power. He is a Thomas Huxley Medallist at the Royal College of Science and a former co-editor of the International Journal of Ecology.
200 pages, Paperback
125x200mm, Portrait
Available from 30 September 2009
Now in fifth printing (January 2012)
ISBN-10: 1905299834
ISBN-13: 9781905299836
Price £9.99
stacey-international.co.uk
Now available as well via Amazon U.K., Amazon U.S., and Midpoint Publishers (U.S.)
Advertisements, Campaigns, Economics, Emissions, Idaho, Publications •
Source: Energy Integrity Project
Not cheap. Not clean. Not for Idaho.
Billboard created by the Energy Integrity Project. They have taken five billboards for 6 months.
(click to download PDF)
Windfall screenings, Jan. 14 & 20
Saturday, January 14: Windfall Screening
Time: 7:00 PM
Price: free
Location: Craftsbury Public Library, Craftsbury Common, Vt.
Description: The Craftsbury Public Library is partnering with the Ridge Protectors to bring a screening of the movie Windfall to Craftsbury on Saturday, January 14, at 7PM.
Wind power… it’s sustainable… it burns no fossil fuels…it produces no air pollution. What’s more, it cuts down dependency on foreign oil. That’s what the people of Meredith, in upstate New York first thought when a wind developer looked to supplement the rural farm town’s failing economy with a farm of their own — that of 40 industrial wind turbines. WINDFALL, Laura Israel’s feature-length film, documents how this proposal divides Meredith’s residents, as they fight over the future of their community. Attracted at first to the financial incentives that would seemingly boost their dying economy, the townspeople grow increasingly alarmed as they discover the impacts that the 400-foot high windmills slated for Meredith would bring to their community. Beautifully photographed, WINDFALL looks at both sides of wind energy development. This 83-minute film will be shown at the Craftsbury Public Library. For more information contact the library at 586-9683.
WINDFALL, A Film by Laura Israel:
Wind power… It’s green… It’s good… It reduces our dependency on foreign oil. But does it? Or, is it merely a highly profitable financial scam for the many wind energy developers looking to erect industrial wind turbines in a town near you? Laura Israel’s documentary, WINDFALL, looks at both sides of wind energy development when the residents of a rural upstate New York town consider going green. Join the Environmental Action Committee of West Marin and West Marin/Sonoma Coastal Advocates for this free movie and discussion on the benefits and impacts of wind energy. Find more details at: http://windfallthemovie.com/index_1.html
What:
Film screening and discussion of the Toronto International Film Festival award-winning documentary, WINDFALL by Laura Israel
When:
Friday, January 20, 2012, 6:30 p.m. (doors open 6:00 p.m.)
Where:
Dance Palace Community Center, 503 B Street, Point Reyes Station, California
Cost:
Free admission (refreshments provided)
Sponsored by:
Environmental Action Committee of West Marin
West Marin/Sonoma Coastal Advocates
Contact:
Amy Trainer, Environmental Action Committee of West Marin, amy@eacmarin.org: (415) 663-9312
Helen Kozoriz, West Marin/Sonoma Coastal Advocates, helenkozoriz@sbcglobal.net: (510) 336-0499
Action alerts, Comments, Health, Oregon •
Source: Oregon Public Health Division
Oregon Wind Energy Health Impact Assessment
Draft report released January 3, 2012
The Oregon Public Health Division spent the last year responding to questions from the Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE), local health departments, and community members in Eastern Oregon about the potential health impacts of wind energy facilities on Oregon communities.
The draft Wind Energy Health Impact Assessment is a tool to help community members, elected officials and ODOE understand and respond to health-related questions about wind energy developments in Oregon.
This initial HIA on wind energy is not focused on a specific facility or community. Rather, it focuses more broadly on what is currently known about the health impacts from wind farms, and the policies and standards used to site wind facilities in Oregon.
Download the report [click here].
Media should contact Christine Stone, Oregon Public Health Communications Officer, 971-673-1282, desk; 503-602-8027, cell; christine.l.stone@state.or.us.
Public Comment
You have three months from the release of the preliminary report to comment on any part of the report. Comments must be written to be considered; you can email or mail your comments. All comments must be received by 5 PM on March 30, 2012.
The Oregon Public Health Division will read every comment received by the deadline. We do not plan to respond individually to each comment submitted. We will use the comments we receive to create a better, more complete final report.
We will accept comments by email wind.hia@state.or.us or mail:
Wind HIA Comments
Oregon Public Health Division
Office of Environmental Public Health
800 NE Oregon St., Ste. 640
Portland, OR 97232
Public information sessions are planned for
March 20 in Pendleton, OR
March 21 in Bend, OR
Check back here for more details or email wind.hia@state.or.us to be notified of meeting locations and times.
Contact us: wind.hia@state.or.us
France, Protests •
Source: "Collectif 40 associations" de Défense de l'environnement de Midi-Pyrénées
40 associations appellent a manifester contre les éoliennes le 27 janvier a Toulouse
Elles dénoncent le saccage programmé de la Région Midi-Pyrénées par 800 éoliennes dont plusieurs centaines dans les parcs naturels régionaux du Haut Languedoc et des Grands Causses.
Pour protester contre le massacre de cette magnifique région et stopper ce scandale écologique, économique et financier, ce collectif régional regroupant plus de 40 associations de citoyens de Midi-Pyrénées appelle à manifester,
Le vendredi 27 janvier à partir de 13h00 devant la Préfecture de Région 1 Place St Etienne à Toulouse
En 2010, le Préfet de la Région Midi-Pyrénées avait promis que le collectif participerait au processus d’élaboration du Schéma Régional Climat Air Energie, (Schéma Régional Eolien).
Il a menti……!
La Vice-présidente du Conseil Régional, avait fait la même promesse.
Elle a menti…..!
LES AUTORITES BAFOUENT LES CITOYENS POUR IMPOSER LES DICTATS DES PROMOTEURS EOLIENS
La Préfecture de Région et le Conseil Régional veulent installer 800 éoliennes géantes sur la région Midi-Pyrénées, mettant en péril son patrimoine naturel, culturel et sa qualité de vie.
Les parcs naturels régionaux du Haut Languedoc et des Grands Causses sont déjà défigurés par ces Machines industrielles. Elles agressent les paysages et la biodiversité. Elles dégradent la vie locale, et maintenant, tous les départements sont concernés, la moitié des communes de notre région.
L’éolien industriel n’a aucun intérêt pour notre (bouquet énergétique). Il coûte trop cher pour le budget des ménages et de l’ Etat, surtout en période de crise. Sans parler de son impact négatif sur le tourisme local ou sur l’immobilier.
Le schéma régional éolien en cours de finalisation a été écrit, sous la pression des promoteurs, par un cercle restreint de technocrates appliquant sans discernement un soi-disant objectif européen. Une prétendue consultation publique vient d’être lancée en pleine trêve des confiseurs.
Encore une parodie de démocratie !
Possibilité de covoiturage depuis les départements.
Pique nique convivial sur la place !
Nous comptons bien entendu sur votre présence et celle de vos amis.
Nous appelons toutes les associations qui luttent contre l’éolien dans d’autre régions à venir nous soutenir
Télécharger et diffuser le tract de la manifestation
Contacts:
Ariège: 05 61 60 80 25
Aveyron : 06 79 32 06 32
Haute-Garonne : 06 23 80 71 93
Hautes-Pyrénées : 05 62 99 43 05
Tarn : 05 63 73 03 28
Très cordialement
Michel Broncard
FED Midi-Pyrénées
tel: 06 23 80 71 93
michel.broncard/orange.fr
Collectif des associations de défense de l’environnement de Midi-Pyrénées.
Ariège – 09
Association Vent contre Nature – 09
Association de Défense des Collines du Pic d’Estelle – 09
Aveyron – 12
Collectif Agir pour le Levezou – 12
Association Beauregard en Levezou – 12
Association Bien Vivre en Tremouillais – 12
Association pour la protection des cimes de Bouloc – 12
Association Protégeons nos Espaces pour l’Avenir – 12
Association Sauvegarde du Carladez – 12
Association Patrimoine Environnement Territoire du Pays Belmontais – 12
Association de Défense de l’Environnement et du Patrimoine du Viala du Tarn et de Monjeaux, des Vallées du Tarn et de la Muse (ADEPVEM) -12
Association Préservation de l’Identité Culturelle et du Patrimoine Naturel du Caton de St Afrique (PICPANACA) – 12
Association de Sauvegarde du Pays du Fel – 12
Collectif Unitaire de préservation des Plateaux du Larzac, du Guillaumard et des Monts de l’Escandorgues – 12
Association Le Vent des Terres – 12
Association Dans le Vent – 12
Association pour la Protection de l’Identité Culturelle et Naturelle des Monts de Lacaune – 12
Association Patrimoine du Guillaumard – 12
Association Tarn Gozon – Vents Contraires – 12
Association Plateau Survolté – 12
Association Sauvegardes des Palanges – 12
Association S.O.S Busards – 12
Fédération pour la Vie et la Sauvegarde du Pays des Grandes Causses – 12
Association Centre Culturel Castelnau de Levezou – 12
Haute Garonne – 31
Association de Défense de l’Environnement des Coteaux du Lauragais (ADECLS) – 31
Association No Ventaira – 31
Collectif des riverains du Parc éolien de St Félix du Lauragais – 31
GERS – 32
Association pour la Protection de l’Astarac – 32
LOT – 46
Association Vent du Haut Ségala – 46
HAUTES-PYRENEES – 65
Association Avis de Tempête sur le Plateau
TARN – 81
Réflexion et Vigilance sur l’éolien industriel e Haut Languedoc (REVEIHL) – 81
Association CALELH – 81
Association NOELIN – 81
Sidobre Debout – 81
ARVIE – 81
Sauvegarde des Maisons et Paysages – 81
Association de Sauvegarde des Etudes de la Montagne Noire – 81
Association Club Alpin – 81
Collectif Sud Tarn – 81
Pour un littoral sans éolienne
Professionnel, élus, organismes de loisirs, de protection de l’environnement et du patrimoine, syndicats professionnels, personnalités connues sur le plan régional, national ou simple citoyen:
Vous refusez que votre activité professionnelle, votre région, votre littoral soient durablement détruits par l’implantation d’éoliennes côtières, alors rejoignez les signataires du collectif PULSE en apportant votre signature dans la catégorie ci-dessous correspondant à votre fonction.
[Professionals, elected officials, recreation groups, environmental and heritage protection organizations, trade unions, those involved in the regional or national plan, or simple citizen: You do not want your business, your region, your shoreline to be permanently destroyed by the installation of coastal wind turbines, so join the signatories of the PULSE collective by providing your signature in the category below corresponding to your function.]
Cliquez ici: http://stop.eolien.offshore.free.fr/index.php?Itemid=370
First Run Features to release award-winning documentary: WINDFALL
and other cities nationally as well as on select VOD platforms
Wind power: it’s clean; it’s green; it’s good. Or is it?
Wind power … it’s sustainable … it burns no fossil fuels … it produces no air pollution. What’s more, it cuts down dependency on foreign oil. That’s what the residents of Meredith, New York, first thought when a wind developer looked to supplement the rural farm town’s failing economy with a farm of their own – that of 40 industrial wind turbines.
WINDFALL, Laura Israel’s richly photographed feature-length film, documents how this proposal brutally divides the people of Meredith as they fight over the future of their community. Attracted at first to the financial incentives that would seemingly boost their dying economy, many residents grow alarmed once they discover that the 400-feet-high windmills slated for Meredith may bring side effects they never dreamed of. Opposition intensifies when they discover that the fiscal model for wind energy development produces huge profits, not for host towns like Meredith, but for a mysterious group of outside investors, aided and abetted by huge tax breaks and Wall Street sleight-of-hand.
Israel also turns her camera on Tug Hill, New York, another small upstate town, where wind power is a done deal. Tug Hill’s 195 wind turbines create low-frequency “whomping” sounds and strobe-like effects, which have significantly downgraded the quality of life and, in some cases, the health of wind turbine neighbors unable to sell their homes. Meanwhile, the Meredith Town Board pushes to put their wind turbine plan through.
With wind development in the United States growing annually at 39 percent, WINDFALL is an eye-opener that should be required viewing for anyone concerned about the environment and the future of renewable energy.
Director Laura Israel was born in New Jersey and after earning a degree in film from NYU, she edited music videos for Lou Reed, Keith Richards, David Byrne, New Order, Patti Smith, Ziggy Marley, Sonic Youth, and many others. Laura has worked as photographer/filmmaker Robert Frank’s editor for two decades. The films have screened all over the world and won many awards. She also edited Stephanie Black’s feature documentary Africa Unite: Life For a Child directed by Academy Award-nominated DP Ed Lachman; and Music of Regret by photographer Laurie Simmons. Editing credits include advertising and television promo campaigns that have garnered AICP awards, International Film and TV awards, a GLAAD award, an Emmy award, and a Monitor award for editing. This is Laura Israel’s first film as director, and she was named one of Filmmaker Magazine’s 25 New Faces of Independent Film. Laura is currently working on her next film, a documentary about Robert Frank.
Founded in 1979, First Run Features is one of America’s notable distributors of documentary and foreign films. Recent releases include Jason Cohn and Bill Jersey’s EAMES: THE ARCHITECT AND THE PAINTER, DA Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus’s KINGS OF PASTRY, Ken Bowser’s PHIL OCHS: THERE BUT FOR FORTUNE, Joe Berlinger’s CRUDE, and Judith Ehrlich and Rick Goldsmith’s Academy Award–nominated THE MOST DANGEROUS MAN IN AMERICA: DANIEL ELLSBERG AND THE PENTAGON PAPERS.
SnagFilms will be the exclusive digital on-demand distributor for WINDFALL across all platforms.
Honors and acclaim for WINDFALL:
World Premiere at Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2010
WINNER: Grand Prize, Doc NYC 2010
HONORABLE MENTION: Talking Pictures Festival 2010
WINNER: Best Documentary, Woods Hole Film Festival 2011
OFFICIAL SELECTION: IDFA Green Screen Competition 2010
Screened in 30 festivals internationally since TIFF
“Beautifully produced, elegantly structured, edited authoritatively, with unforgettable characters.” —Patricia Aufderheide, Center for Social Media
“Fascinating, insightful, and fair. An intimate portrait of one New York community in heavy battle.” —Stewart Nusbaumer, Huffington Post
“The film isn’t agenda-driven advocacy, but an invitation to think critically about an alternative energy source often presented as a panacea.” —Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune
“Never alarmist or patronizing…strung so tightly and effortlessly together that it’s hard to believe this is a first-time filmmaker at hand.” —Christopher Bell, The Playlist, Indiewire
“Provides a much-needed view of the growing backlash against the rapid expansion of the wind industry.” —Robert Bryce, Energy Tribune
“Emotionally charged human conflict that results in a genuine cliffhanger.” —Ann Hornaday, Washington Post
“Chilling.” —Stanley Fish, New York Times
| NY PRESS SCREENING
Wednesday January 11th, 11 a.m. RSVP to: kelly.hargraves/firstrunfeatures.com |
Windfall
83 minutes, English, Digital, 2010, Documentary
Director/Producer: Laura Israel
Director of Photography: Brian Jackson
Producer: Autumn Tarleton
Co-Producer: Stacey Foster
Executive Producer: Don Faller
Production Services: Doublewide Media
Art Direction: Alex Bingham
Editors: Laura Israel, Stacey Foster, Alex Bingham
Technical Advisor: Lisa Linowes
Animation: Deen Modino
Voice Over: Chuck Coggins
Soundtrack Composer: Wade Schuman
Music Supervisor: Olivier Conan
Music: Hazmat Modine, Barbès Records
Press materials are available at: firstrunfeatures.com/windfall_press.html
