We know from the data given by various wind turbine manufacturers that 15 mph winds are the lowest threshold for the turbines to be marginally effective.
The Southeast Regional Climate Center at the University of North Carolina posts the average wind speed for selected cities in the Southeast regardless of wind direction and from Vero to Palm Beach there isn’t a single month that averages more 11 mph (www.sercc.com/climateinfo/historical/avgwind.html).
The U.S. Department of Energy states Florida doesn’t have enough wind for wind power (and they are experts).
About a year ago, Florida Power and Light stated Florida is not a good candidate for wind power (before the Gov. Charlie Crist tax credits).
Given that:
1. Proper, independent, environmental studies have not been conducted; FPL refuses to do so.
2. It is strongly suspected that low-frequency vibrations from the turbines will cause fish in our Indian River estuary to cease spawning.
3. The Indian River Lagoon is a fish nursery.
4. The experts agree we don’t have enough wind.
Do you really want to take the chance of ruining the lagoon and destroying our sport-fishing resource for something that we do not have enough wind for?
The evidence points to the fact that wind turbines might be a disaster to our environment and proper independent studies have not been conducted by either the county or FPL.
County commissioners have a choice to represent either their constituents or FPL. I urge them to stop the procrastination, and unless proper, independent, ecological studies are initiated, please save the county a lot of time and money and ban the turbines immediately.
Bob Norton
Fort Pierce
14 April 2008
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2008/04/15/end-talk-of-wind-turbines/