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Devil in details when it comes to turbines
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Translate: FROM English | TO English
“The devil is in the details.” It means that something may look good on its surface, but get into the details and it’s not pleasant. That’s what is happening with wind energy.
When you hear about wind turbines, you may not understand the concern. “Something” has to be done and this sounds good. Be curious. Read. Listen.
In the rush to “do something,” governments have mandated “green” energy. They’ve set the stage for investor groups to make sizeable profits. How? By quickly setting up technologies not proven to be reliable, cost effective or safe for those who live nearby.
And who pays for it? We do! In so many ways. Our environment, health, homes, taxes (federal and state funds are our money, remember!), quality of life, friendships and more-will be sacrificed to a “gold rush” that plays on our fears.
Already big money is changing hands. News outlets announced in June that Acciona of Spain, the world’s largest wind power developer, has gained exclusive rights to develop wind assets in Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin by acquiring projects from EcoEnergy. Wind power “futures” are now listed on the US Futures Exchange.
In this global economy, we’re becoming a Third World country, our resources harvested by big money corporations from around the world and leaving our citizens none the better off.
Before we make our rural areas no more than industrial power station sites, how about a reasonable approach? Benefit all of us-and not our investor groups for a change.
For examples:
– Encourage start-ups of local alternative energy businesses and product manufacturers so increased competition will make solutions more accessible to average taxpayers.
– Have grants/low-interest loans for small wind turbine/solar/geothermal to help farmers get off the grid entirely.
– Have free or low-cost energy audits/advice so everyone can tighten up homes or businesses.
– Provide incentives for businesses to cut energy use. A solar array on a business rooftop is still an oddity.
– Make those who use more pay more.
Make representatives face the devil in the details. We need educated leaders to meet the challenge.
Connie Gehl
Chilton
12 November 2007
This article is the work of the source indicated. Any opinions expressed in it are not necessarily those of National Wind Watch.
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