WIND FARMS DO NOT REDUCE NEED FOR FOSSIL FUEL
Fairfield Concerned Citizens
Little Falls, NY March 28, 2007 – Contrary to popular belief ““ promoted by well-funded Industrial Wind Turbine Facility Developers ““ wind turbines do not reduce the need for fossil fuel powered electric generators and do not reduce the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere.
Even at sites known for their breeze, wind is intermittent, variable and undependable. As a result, utility companies must rely on dependable power sources, usually powered by fossil fuel.
Electricity supply must be dependable. No one wants to turn on a light switch and have nothing happen because the wind does not happen to be spinning the wind turbines at that moment. Therefore the bulk of a utility’s electric power must come from large generators, powered by coal, nuclear, gas, or water. To make up for the high variability of wind turbines, other generators that can be started quickly must be on standby, able to be brought on line quickly when the wind dies. These standby generators are most often powered by natural gas or coal.
A recent study found that “the wind-based portfolio results in little reduction, if any, in the need for fossil fuels.”
Most electricity in the U.S. is fueled by coal or natural gas. Only 3% of all oil consumed in the U.S. is used for generating electricity. 68% is consumed in the transportation industry. Building wind farms does not reduce dependence on foreign oil.
Fairfield Concerned Citizens Inc. has been formed to bring public attention to the problems which may result if the proposed industrial wind turbine facility is constructed in Fairfield, and to bring legal proceedings if necessary. To that end, Fairfield Concerned Citizens Inc. has retained attorney Robert M. Cohen, of Ballston Lake, New York. Tax deductible donations are needed and can be sent to Fairfield Concerned Citizens Inc. at P.O. Box 1013, Little Falls, NY 13365.
For more information contact Andy McEvoy, (315 ) 823-4773, or Jim Salamone, (315) 823-3477, or Don Denapole, (315) 891-3036.
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/alerts/2007/03/29/wind-farms-do-not-reduce-need-for-fossil-fuel/