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Wind Power News: Opinions
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch in its noncommercial educational effort to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch. They are the products of and owned by the organizations or individuals noted and are shared here according to “fair use” and “fair dealing” provisions of copyright law.
Offshore wind and the stress on commercial fishermen
Congressional Republicans are sounding the Mayday alarm this weekend to the grave challenges commercial fishermen face resulting from the Biden administration’s offshore wind agenda. Offshore wind development is placing enormous stress on the American commercial fishing fleet, which may not survive these challenges. A trio of coastal lawmakers, Reps. Andy. Harris (R-Md.), Chris Smith (R.-N.J.), and Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.) will explore offshore wind farm interactions at an upcoming hearing, which their colleagues and the public should heed. President Joe . . . Complete story »
Energy industry bill disenfranchises Vermonters
A new bill, S.236, is under consideration by the Senate Finance committee. This bill will make it more difficult for the public – including adjoining landowners – to object to new industrial-scale renewable energy projects. As a lifelong environmental advocate, I oppose this legislation on many grounds, not least of which is the fact that it disenfranchises ordinary Vermonters trying to protect the environment from industrial development. It is the very definition of tyrannical, top-down government limiting the rights of . . . Complete story »
City NIMBYs v regions in a fight over renewables
Farmers and others from regional communities will rally in Sydney’s Martin Place next week to campaign against renewable energy projects that will blight landscapes, alienate farmland, damage bushland and disrupt livelihoods. Public protests do not come naturally to people of the land; we can be relatively confident they will not glue themselves to the road, chain themselves to critical infrastructure or block the traffic, and I doubt children will be given the day off school to join them. But governments . . . Complete story »
As wind and solar power falter, U.N. climate agreement becomes wishful thinking
[Léelo en español] Despite the lip service that governments, nongovernmental organizations and the media continue to pay to wind and solar power, most notably at the recent U.N. Climate Change Conference in Dubai—where some 200 countries signed a nonbinding agreement pledging their support for “transitioning away from fossil fuels”—some global leaders realize that wind and solar energy won’t do the trick and that fossil fuels will be here for a long, long time. Sweden, for example, recently announced a major . . . Complete story »
After trillions spent, the world has barely budged from dependence on fossil fuels
From 2015 to 2023, governments and industry worldwide have spent US$11.7 trillion (inflation-adjusted) on clean energy. From 1995 to 2022, the amount of fossil fuels (oil, gas and coal) consumed worldwide increased by 58.6%. Specifically, oil consumption increased by 34.2%, natural gas by 86.7% and coal by 72.7%. There was, however, a small decline in the share of total energy provided by oil, gas and coal during that time period, falling from 85.6% of total energy use in 1995 to 81.8% in 2022. In other words, After more than US$11.7 trillion spent on the transition away from fossil fuels, their consumption declined by 3.8% as a share of total global energy. And while wind & solar increased from 0.6% of total energy to 7.5% over the same period, both nuclear and hydro declined (6.5% to 4.0% and 7.3% to 6.7%, respectively), thus accounting for a net increase in non–fossil fuel energy of only 3.8% of total energy. Complete story »
Net zero could gobble up one-third of Australia’s farmland
Australia could lose one-third of its productive agricultural land to solar panels and wind farms if the government pushes forward with its plans to reach net zero emissions through wind and solar, a new study has warned. Australia could lose one-third of its productive agricultural land to solar panels and wind farms if the government pushes forward with its plans to reach net zero emissions entirely through wind and solar, a new study has warned. The alert comes as the . . . Complete story »
The quest for green energy filled my community with violence
The Tehuantepec Isthmus in Oaxaca, Mexico, is a territory shared among the Binnizá, Ikoots, Angpøn, and Ayuuk Peoples that produces 76.8 percent of the country’s wind energy. As of January 2020, 1,600 wind turbines had been installed here at 32 wind farms, and thousands more are in construction plans, in an effort to secure “green energy” to combat climate change. My generation has witnessed how our community and region went from being a quiet place to one where there is . . . Complete story »
The need to reduce light pollution from wind energy facilities is real
The debate over alternative energy facilities, including the massive windmills that decorate eastern rural Washington is nothing new. It’s a debate that continues to stir emotions on both sides of the equation. You may recall the legislation I introduced last year that would have allowed rural communities to have a voice in the clean energy facility siting process. Developing a solid strategy to create a quality, clean, and transmittable energy grid for both the short- and long-term is essential for . . . Complete story »
72 whales have died on the East Coast in a year. NOAA must take action.
Elizabeth Quattrocki | Published Nov. 7, 2023 | northjersey.com 3-minute read Whales captivate our imagination and offer invaluable lessons. They demonstrate care for their own, and even us, yet we often fall short in protecting them. In recent years, we have witnessed numerous accounts of whales exhibiting bravery, selflessness and admirable traits. They safeguard not only their kind but also humans, showcasing qualities that seem undervalued in today’s society. Stories like the mother orca carrying her deceased calf for thousands . . . Complete story »
The battle against the Equinor wind turbine project
Long Island, with its rich history, stunning landscapes and vibrant communities, is a place we’re proud to call home. Long Islanders are deeply concerned about the proposed Equinor wind turbine project, Empire Wind, and its potential to adversely affect our health, safety and economy. It is essential that we carefully examine the implications of this project and the individuals behind it. Equinor, formerly known as Statoil, is 67 percent owned by Norway and is a partner of BP Oil. Equinor . . . Complete story »
