This Windaction.org presentation was given at the Indiana State Bar Association's 2009 Fall Utility Law seminar held in Michigan City, Indiana on Oct 16-17, 2009.

This paper discusses how wind energy is not the answer to climate change concerns and cannot do the heavy lifting required by the modern American economy. The author argues that it would take hundreds of thousands of wind turbines to make a substantial contribution to America's energy needs which will inevitably lead to conflicts with human and animal habitats.

Although the nation's wind potential is very large, only part of it can be exploited economically. The economic viability of wind power will vary from utility to utility. Important factors not addressed in this study that influence land availability and wind electric potential include production/demand match (seasonal and daily), transmission and access constraints, public acceptance, and other technological and institutional constraints.

Editor's Note: Though dated, this is a worthwhile read if read carefully.

In this comprehensive document, Professor Roger A. McEowen provides a background perspective behind the current emphasis on wind-generated electricity, addresses taxpayer subsidies that support the wind energy industry and details the legal issues surrounding wind energy production and landowner agreements.

Roger McEowen of the Center for Agriculture Law and Taxation in Iowa prepared this important report for farmers who are considering signing a wind lease for wind energy development.

The goal of the Technology Acceptance activity is that "By 2010, at least 100 MW will be installed in 30 states." Further, the Technology Acceptance effort is striving to ensure that, by 2005, at least 20 MW will be installed in 32 states.
Editor's Note: This is tantamount to a 'full court press' without any consideration of the critical 'impact' issues related to wind energy, i.e. wind energy's (1) negligible value as a source of base load capacity, (2) ineffectiveness in reducing emissions, (3) cost implications for electrical transmission, (4) cost to tax and rate payers, (5) affect upon the quality of our lives, our environment, on wildlife and on tourist/second home based economies, etc .

Glenn Schleede has updated his 2006 white paper which discuses whether wind energy will reduce US reliance on oil. One of the claims often made by wind energy advocates is that greater use of wind energy for electricity generation will reduce US dependence on oil, including oil imports. In fact, adding more wind turbines will have no significant impact on US oil consumption. This update, based on the latest data from the US Energy Information Agency explains why the reduced oil use claim is false.

One of the false claims made by “wind energy” advocates is that greater use of wind energy would reduce US dependence on oil, including oil imports. In fact, adding more wind turbines will have no significant impact on US oil consumption. Unfortunately, many well-meaning people (including reporters) and some regulators and political leaders have accepted – and repeated -- the wind advocates’ false claims about reductions in oil use. This brief paper explains why the reduced oil use claim is false.

"This paper provides an overview of the issues affecting wind turbine operations in cold weather with a special emphasis given on atmospheric conditions prevailing in the Northeast United States. The first section describes previous and more recent wind energy projects in cold weather areas. In the second section, environmental elements most likely to impact on the operation of wind turbines in cold weather are introduced: low temperatures, icing and snow. It also presents various climatic situations and their specific behavior in cold weather. The third section suggests some solutions to problems identified in the previous section. In addition, this paper suggests ideas of further research on the operation of wind turbines in cold climate. It also identifies organizations interested by similar issues whose cooperation would be beneficial."

A technical critique of Denmark's wind energy development and operation. A brief summary of the report appears below. The full report can be downloaded by clicking on the link at the bottom of this page.