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As fuel costs rise, so does interest in harnessing wind
As the debate goes on, the turbines are going up in record numbers -- a trend that's expected to continue as the clean energy industry moves to take advantage of concerns about global warming and rising fossil fuel costs. ...Rick Webb, a senior scientist in the University of Virginia's Department of Environmental Sciences, isn't so sure wind power, particularly on the mountains of the mid-Atlantic, will help much. Webb participated in a National Academy of Sciences committee that studied wind power and released a report this year that found wind power is growing, but in many places, guidelines for development are lacking.
''I think the potential electrical supply and the potential reduction to other sources of power won't be great enough to compensate for environmental damages on the ridges,'' Webb said, adding he believes offshore development of wind farms would be more useful because there is a more-abundant supply of wind there.
December 30, 2007
by Bob Laylo
in The Morning Call
High on a mountainside outside of Mahanoy City, 13 wind turbines, each taller than the Statue of Liberty, dominate a landscape where veins of coal deep beneath the ground fueled the Industrial Revolution.
To some, the turbines are an eyesore that put birds and other wildlife in harm's way while making just a small dent in the nation's energy needs. To others, the white towers and blades are majestic -- symbols of technology that bring with them clean energy.
As the debate goes on, the turbines are going up in record numbers -- a trend that's expected to continue as... [continue via Web link]
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