April 18, 2015
Georgia

Wind energy worries on Skidaway Island

By Ian Margo | WSAV | April 17, 2015 | www.wsav.com

Using and creating clean energy is a hot topic in the US today, with many of us trying to find the most effective option.

Solar is one choice in our area, but now, Georgia Power is testing another. They’re trying to see if wind turbines are a viable option here in the Coastal Empire, so this summer they’re doing a test run on Skidaway Island.

Some people worry they’ll cause a disturbance though; not only to people around them, but also to the animals living in that environment.

“We are generally supportive of efforts to do that, whether it’s solar, wind, tidal, hydro, you name it,” said Ogeechee Audubon Society President, Dot Bambach. “On the other hand, we also recognize that there are some risks to wildlife, particularly birds and in the case of wind farms, also bats.”

To figure out how they will be affected, Georgia Power has partnered with Georgia Southern to monitor the project.

Authorities with Georgia Power say the turbines will cost about $360,000 to purchase, but they also say after the study is over in a year or two, they will be taken down.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/04/18/wind-energy-worries-on-skidaway-island/