Downsides of wind
Omaha World-Herald | www.omaha.com
I read with interest a Midlands Voices article (“Tariffs could slow wind energy,” Oct. 12 World-Herald) urging tariff exemptions for wind energy components. Wind companies have reaped billions (estimated $4.8 billion in 2018) via tax credits – evidently they are looking for yet more, despite claims wind is ready to energize sans tax credits. Tax credits, not saving the environment, are the reason these companies are in the wind business.
Contrary to wind propaganda statements, wind turbines are destructive to the environment. During construction of a single turbine, nominally 350 tons of concrete and 148 tons of rebar are used. New models use up to two tons of neodymium magnets, a rare earth material obtained principally from China’s polluting mines. The composite blades are not recyclable – the 15- to- 20-year life span is producing 728,000 tons of blade material to dispose of over the next 20 years. Currently the material is going into landfills.
Wind turbines kill countless numbers of bats, eagles and migratory birds.
Recent studies have demonstrated the harmful effects of infrasound. These include nausea, vomiting and thickening of cardiovascular walls. This low-frequency infrasound has been measured 10 kilometers from the offending turbine. Twenty to 30 percent of the populace are affected to the point of wanting out of their homes.
Current wind company practices guarantee that communities will be split down the middle while dealing with the turbine issue. Wind is the most inefficient, costly, unreliable, non-green, environmentally destructive way to produce energy.
Dan Schmid, Dwight, Neb.
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2018/10/21/downsides-of-wind/