Protecting habitat
I oppose liquefied natural gas. I have witnessed two LNG pipeline fires in the Columbia River Gorge.
I watched as proponents used what seemed to me to be dirty tricks to build the LNG electrical production plant in Goldendale, Wash. My sense of it is that the LNG people will do just about anything to accomplish their goals, and that they are willing to risk all of us to secure their profits.
Wind power has been proposed in letters to the editor as a good option to LNG, but there is no silver bullet solution to our energy needs, as far as I can see.
Because wind power depends on the wind, it is an unreliable source of electrical power. Wind power must be backed up by a more reliable conventional power source. That power source is LNG.
As wind power develops out, more LNG power plants will be built to back up wind power. Wind power cannot replace LNG; it will, instead, make LNG more necessary.
I have observed wind power development in the Columbia River Gorge for almost 20 years, and it is a siting disaster. For instance, the National Audubon Society has designated the Columbia Hills in the gorge as an “important bird area” in an attempt to save this valuable bird habitat.
Our state and federal wildlife agencies have opposed the development of wind power on these hills. Nevertheless, wind power is being developed within the “important bird area” along the entire length of the Columbia Hills. This wind power is mean, not green.
One last thought: LNG proponents would love opponents to split on their opposition between the proposed sites. What’s needed is a united front against all sites.
Dave Thies, President
Columbia Gorge Audubon Society, White Salmon, Wash
29 August 2008
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Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
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