Article
Windmills are not see-saws, study needed
The Manchester Journal (VT)|Clarissa Lennox, Manchester |February 3, 2006
My suggestion is that our state legislature make a proposal: for the state energy commission to study windmill energy on behalf of the state of Vermont. This study can ascertain the effects, both economic and ecological, of placing larger sized windmill "farms" in a few carefully selected locations, where they can be out of view of the most residents and tourists; to assure both ecological and economic responsibility.
My suggestion is that our state legislature make a proposal: for the state energy commission to study windmill energy on behalf of the state of Vermont. This study can ascertain the effects, both economic and ecological, of placing larger sized windmill "farms" in a few carefully selected locations, where they can be out of view of the most residents and tourists; to assure both ecological and economic responsibility.
We need to get off see-saw reactions: "I hate windmills, I love windmills." There is more to the issue than this. We can reach a proactive solution that could work for everyone in Vermont. We can proactively address future energy needs, and reasonable/acceptable locations of possible windmill "farms" to create some of that energy.
My suggestion is that our state legislature make a proposal: for the state energy commission to study windmill energy on behalf of the state of Vermont. This study can ascertain the effects, both economic and ecological, of placing larger sized windmill "farms" in a few carefully selected locations, where they can be out of view of the most residents and tourists; to assure both ecological and economic …
We need to get off see-saw reactions: "I hate windmills, I love windmills." There is more to the issue than this. We can reach a proactive solution that could work for everyone in Vermont. We can proactively address future energy needs, and reasonable/acceptable locations of possible windmill "farms" to create some of that energy.
My suggestion is that our state legislature make a proposal: for the state energy commission to study windmill energy on behalf of the state of Vermont. This study can ascertain the effects, both economic and ecological, of placing larger sized windmill "farms" in a few carefully selected locations, where they can be out of view of the most residents and tourists; to assure both ecological and economic responsibility.
The problem with windmill companies, (of varying credentials) repeatedly approaching small towns statewide is that there is never a real solution, only partial solutions. In this way, over time, Vermont's ridges could be detrimentally altered by an endless series of tiny windmill farms.
This current Manchester presentation has shown that the cost of erecting five windmills would probably take decades to recover in terms of energy output. This represents extremely unwise economics that can be avoided by prudent state planning.
A state commission study of windmill energy will assure that local proposals won't elicit emotional or political, knee-jerk reactions to financial proposals by windmill companies looking for profit; companies who do not have the welfare of our state in mind.
In taking a proactive lead, the state legislature and commission can address the future of Vermont energy, the possible construction of carefully located large windmill "farms," and preserve our beautiful Green Mountains; a special place that we should never take for granted.