For those who did their homework, nicely done!! Your next assignment is about wind power. A very large wind turbine was just installed at Jiminy Peak. Several wind farms have been constructed in New York State, with many more planned: http://www.awea.org/projects/newyork.html
Some taxpayers claim that wind turbines are noisy eyesores which endanger migratory birds and bats, while advocates of alternative energy praise them. What do you think? Research the matter and formulate your opinion in 250 words or more. Postings are due on or before Friday, January 11th by 11am.
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New sources of energy are needed as more environmental and politically friendly. Wind energy good for the environment because it reduces the amount of fossil fuels being used. Wind energy is also politically friendly because it reduces our reliance on foreign fuel supply. But for almost every beneficial change there is a flaw. The windmills have been causing problems of the bird population.
In California’s San Joaquin Valley birds such as the golden eagle have been flying in the wind farms turbines. According to the San Francisco chronicle the about 300 of the most lethal wind mills would be shut down or relocated to reduce the death of birds by 50%. It was also stated that the windmills aren’t being shut down fast enough.
I agree with California’s plan to relocate or shut down the windmills that are causing the most deaths. By killing the birds the windmills aren’t fulfilling their purpose of being environmentally friendly. The American Wind Energy Association put out a fact sheet that claims that more birds die from flying into other man building such as tower, stacks, or buildings. The fact sheet stated, “In the Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area (which has some 7,000 wind turbines), a two-year study found 182 dead birds, of which 119 were raptors. The study attributed 55 percent of raptor deaths to collisions with turbines, eight percent to electrocutions from power lines, 11 percent to collisions with wires, and 26 percent to unknown causes.” This shows that birds of prey are most affected by the windmills and that they have been causing deaths to birds but not as many attributed to the deaths caused by other man made objects.
Based of the given information for the different studies I believe that the windmills are harmful to birds and they should be built in an area that a smaller bird population. The best thing for the environment is to protect wildlife and to preserve our natural resources.
I believe that the construction of more environmentally friendly methods is necessary throughout the United States and the rest of the world because natural resources are in rapid decline and harming our environment as they do so. Wind energy is an excellent source of alternate energy because it is capable of producing one sixth of the world’s energy consumption. As with all other alternate energy solutions, wind energy has both pros and cons. The modern wind turbines are being spaced farther apart from each other for more energy productivity. They are also much quieter than those designed years ago, which is a definite pro. When comparing the number of deaths of animals, especially birds, associated with wind turbines to those of hunting, traffic, and other human activities, the number is much lower. The energy being consumed for the production and installation of the wind turbine is usually restored within a range of three months after its start of function. On the other hand, in order to build a wind turbine at a certain spot, all other power lines and tress need to be cleared. In addition, flat roads need to be built and a large hole needs to be drilled and filled with steel to support the massive structure. This is considered the not so eco-friendly part of this renewable type of energy. I believe that wind turbines should be used in some parts of the country where they will not cross the paths of migratory birds and where trees do not need to be cleared in order for them to be built. If the construction of a turbine does not meet these requirements, another form of alternate energy that is efficient for that area should be used.
Wind power is becoming more and more common because of high gas prices and the lack of other fuels. Wind power can be converted into electricity, this is done by using wind turbines, and this energy can be used to pump water or even power generators. Wind power has been used a lot more in other parts of the world such as Denmark, Germany and Spain. Wind power is good because it is replenish able, and can be used just about anywhere, they may be loud and even disrupt migration patterns although they still can be considered a way out to our fuel crisis. If wind turbines can reduce the cost of electricity bills, then I think that they would be beneficial to our society. I think that this alternative energy could help immensely and maybe even ease tensions around the world. Overall the idea of adding more wind turbines seems good, although it can still disrupt nature because a lot of the turbines kill birds because they sometimes fly into the turbines. Fish can be killed as well, although this would be as a result of pollution that was caused by the building of the wind farms. Migrating bats can also die in the turbines the same way that the birds do. Even though wildlife can be in trouble, I think that more wildlife will suffer if we use the same type of energy that we are currently using. I think a lot more habitats will be ruined if we do not switch into using wind power. Even though both sides can be argued, I think that the good of wind-powered turbines is greater than the bad effects of them.
Wind turbines and other forms of alternative energy are most definitely needed to ensure the environmental wellbeing of Earth as well as to guarantee that when humans run out of fossil fuels and oil, they are not lost, and that they have another form of energy to turn to. Wind energy as an alternative form of energy would greatly help the environment. Wind plans emit no pollutants or greenhouse gases, so they will not be a potential cause of global warming or pollution. This will be a huge improvement compared to the environmental damage that burning fossil fuels does today. Along with omitting greenhouse gases which contribute to global warming as most people are aware of, the transportation of fossil fuels, especially oil seriously hurt animals. Since the US imports 55% of its oil, oil spills are serious problems. They cause much damage to all sorts of animals such as seals, killer whales, sea lions, sea otters, river otters, birds, and fish. The oil spills and environmental damage also even hurt human resource fields such as fishing and tourism. Not only do the gasses emitted by current fossil fuels hurt the environment, they also have a huge impact of human health. The World Resources Institute reported that between the years 2000 and 2010, 8 million deaths worldwide will occur caused by the byproducts and pollutants of burning fossil fuels.
Another plus side of using wind energy as an alternative form of energy is that wind energy is the lowest- priced renewable energy. Even with the cost to maintain the turbines, it will be significantly less expensive over a period of time than oil because almost all of the cost of marinating wind energy is in the building and maintenance of the turbines but it costs absolutely no money to harness wind and there is an endless supply of wind. The cost to run wind turbines has decreased 80% over the last twenty years going from 30 cents per kilowatt-hour to about 5 cents per kilowatt-hour and the cost is predicted to continue going down as more, larger plants are built and more advanced technology is introduced.
Along with all of the problems that fossil fuels cause, above all, it is not healthy for humans to be so reliant on one form of energy. The United States is fighting a war for oil and maybe if there were more diverse forces of energy, people would not have to kill and be killed just to heat their homes. People need to realize a problem and change the way they are living for the good of everyone.
Wind power, a source of environmentally friendly energy, has become more popular as oil prices begin to exponentially increase. However, the use of wind turbines to produce wind power is not entirely environmentally friendly. Yet, wind turbines are definitely more beneficial to the environment than many forms of energy that are widely used today such as burning fossil fuels, which causes numerous harmful impacts.
As far as visual impact and complaints of the turbines disrupting natural landscapes, wind turbines do change the aesthetics of the land. The wind turbine newly installed at Jiminy Peak stands 386 feet. Having skiied at Jiminy this season, I believe that the turbine does damage the natural beauty and views usually associated with the Berkshires. The turbine was placed in an area on the mountain that allows it to be seen on all of the trials. The ideal solution for this problem would to not stick wind turbines in areas of tourism. However, having the wind turbine in such a tourist spot will hopefully raise awareness and educate people about alternative forms of energy.
There are also arguments about health factors connected with wind turbines. Medical researchers have found that people have suffered from headaches, nausea, sleeplessness and depression due to the low frequency emissions. These low frequency emissions are worse than regular noise because they travel further than audible noise and can be felt through vibrations.
Despite such arguments involving the death rate of birds, visual impact and the noise issues, the advantages of wind power outweigh all of the drawbacks. Considering the huge impact burning fossil fuels plays on the environment from the effects of acid rain, air pollution and the total destruction of habitats, the disadvantages of wind turbines are minor. Still, with the amount of wind turbines increasing and even residential wind turbines becoming more popular, new developments must be made on wind turbine technology. The problems surrounding wind turbines need to be addressed in order to decrease public opposition that exists today in order for wind power to become a more popular source of energy.
Wind power is starting to be used throughout New York State. There are already wind turbines in places like Long Island and near Howes Caverns and there are many more being installed. Is Wind Power the best type of alternate energy? Wind power has positive and negative effects on society. A positive effect is the tax refunds offered to people who use wind energy which helps to reduce the overall cost. Also wind energy is cost-effective at remote, cold weather sites. One of the negative impacts is the size of the windmills. They can be up to 20 stories high and are an eyesore. Taxpayers also don’t realize that installing the windmills cost around $45,000 to $50,000 and it cost even more to keep a windmill running. I don’t think wind energy is a good source of alternate energy. I agree with the taxpayers who want to find alternate sources. Wind energy cost more then what it saves. It would take many years before you would breakeven financially. I think society should switch to a different alternate energy source such as solar because it cost less to install and it saves more money in the long run. Individual homes can even use solar power. If solar energy is perfected and the size of solar equipment is reduced, solar power will become a household item like a computer has. Although wind turbines is another source of energy, I believe society needs to evaluate other alternatives like solar to determine the next course of action towards making this plant “green”.
In recent years, wind power has greatly increased as an alternative energy source worldwide. I think that this step towards a decrease in oil dependency is a positive thing that should be embraced by the residents of New York State. In the beginning of the movement towards environmentally friendly energy, states in the Western United States dominated the effort. The installation of these wind turbines around New York State will help to increase our standing with the other states nationwide. Also, since New York City is a center for business and tourism in the U.S. the use of alternative energies in an around it will set an example and help us on the path to becoming a self sufficient nation in terms of energy. As for the dangers posed to migratory birds and bats, this is a problem but there are ways to tackle it. Wind turbines can be built in less obstructive places after careful study of migratory patterns, and hopefully scientists and engineers will take this into more careful consideration from now on. With the energy crisis at an all time high now, public opinion of alternative sources is essential to its success or failure. In order to ensure that wind turbines and farms will be successful, the companies building and sponsoring these projects, along with the government need to listen to citizens' concerns. Education about these new sources of energy needs to be included in the installation process so that people feel included and can then pass on the knowledge about wind energy. The birds and bats need to be cared for but the global peril that we are inducing by using fossil fuels is a more pressing issue that could affect the existence of the bats and birds themselves. Wind power is an alternative energy that needs to be harnessed and improved to help on us on the way to healing our planet.
Energy by wind is such a great idea to help the human race wane the dependence on electric energy and propane. The sizes of the windmills although large better the world and help preserve more fossil fuels. Many are saying that the windmills are such monstrosities and block the scenery. Although that may be true, these windmills especially the one located on Jiminy Peak, supply power to vast areas. One negative side to the wind turbines is their effect on the migration of birds and bats. Their rate of migration has significantly decreased. This is actually a strong concern of the state, and the migration patterns of other species should be monitored closely to see that the wind turbines don’t disturb and harm any other animals. There are plans for many more wind turbines which will greatly help the overall economy overtime. “Wind energy is a very promising source of power. It is both reusable and causes no pollution. A wind turbine – today’s modern windmill – is used to harvest the wind, usually, to provide major farms with electricity. . . . Wind energy is by far the most promising. Farmers can have their own wind turbines on their farms and use the electricity toward reducing their electricity bills and by using it to power generators. Consumers won’t have to worry about discharging greenhouse gases or more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. But, wind energy amounts vary throughout season, time of day and even one year to the next. However, we must remember it is both a clean and renewable source of energy.” As described by Mary Swearingen the windmill is very beneficial to our society.
I believe that wind power and all things associated with it are a waste of time. It is one of the least effective ways of producing energy in terms of cost effectiveness. The turbines themselves cost over $40,000 while they produce minimal amounts of energy. Other alternative sources for energy, such as solar power, are much more cost effective and less damaging o any aspect of the environment. The wind turbines cause many birds to stay away from the area in which the turbines are near. By doing this the birds are forced to change their flight path and try and find a new one. This is very difficult for the birds to do since instinctively this is where the birds will fly. Now the birds are confused and cannot migrate/ fly the way in which it is natural. Sometime birds cross over into other group’s paths and force them to move as well. This can in some cases be seen as a terrible chain reaction that causes many birds to die. So if this is looked at in the total picture wind turbines are not very productive but yet extremely dangerous to the environment. The amount of money spent on a field of turbines is a lot, that could be used for something more productive to help us seriously lower gas usage and lower gas prices Also these fields of turbines are ridiculous’ noisy and bother the birds, causing them to lose their instincts from the wild and change lifestyles. All in all the wind turbines are nothing but trouble; we should put tax dollars to better use.
Wind has been the fastest-growing power source worldwide for the past decade, with an annual average growth rate exceeding 30%. In 2004, world wind power capacity reached 47,317 megawatts (MW). By 2005, U.S. wind power capacity exceeded 9,250 MW. The Department of Energy suggests that by 2015, total U.S. wind capacity will exceed 41,700 MW, four times the amount we currently have. I believe that wind power is a very expensive and dangerous source of energy. As wind turbines multiply around the globe, the number of dangerous accidents is also climbing. A wind turbine, which is 100 meters (328 feet) tall, broke apart in early November 2006 in the region of Oldenburg in northern Germany. A sudden gust of wind ripped the tip off of the rotor blade. The heavy, 10-meter (32 foot) fragment spun through the air, and crashed into a field some 200 meters away. This is a major accident that was extremely dangerous. If this turbine was located in a more populated area, then many people could have been killed. In order to help reduce the deaths of animals caused by wind mills, I believe that they should be located in a very rural area. This is also a very costly source of alternative energy. Taxpayers pay about $45,000 to $50,000 just to install the wind mill. I think that wind mills are too dangerous to install for the time being. I think that we should wait until they are perfected, and then we should install them.
Throughout the world we live in today, there is an increasing need for alternate sources of energy with the decreasing supply of fossil fuels. Many people believe in these alternative sources of energy, but there are others who accuse powers such as wind as being noisy and unsightly. In today’s world, with the greater need for alternate sources of power, I believe that we should seize all opportunities to gain the kind of power we need as long as it does not harm the environment or the ecosystem.
Some people believe that the turbines for wind power are noisy and unsightly, this is true. The generators designed to harvest wind are not the most attractive of objects, they are designed for efficiency and therefore not surprisingly unattractive. The locations of these turbines are usually in groups called “wind fields” which are usually placed in locations that are flat and at relatively high elevations so as to get wind. People may not like these giant turbines, but they are a much better alternative then having the pollution of the fossil fuels. A problem with these turbines is that they do have an effect on the ecosystem around them; some animals are scared away by the noise. I believe that these generators should be placed in the areas where they would least effect the environment.
The way wind turbines work is the turbine’s blades are connected to a hub that’s mounted on top of a turning shaft which runs into a gear transmission box that increases the turning speed which, in turn, is connected to a high speed shaft that cranks the generator. If the wind speeds get too high, a brake is deployed to slow the blades down and prevent damage being done to the system. This form of energy is extremely clean; it produces no toxic emissions and heat trapping emissions that contribute to global warming. I believe that this is the kind of power source that should be used instead of normal fossil fuels because of the many benefits.
Advancements in technology are now being targeted as ways to increase power production without harming the environment and while still keeping energy costs low. Alternate energy sources such as wind energy and solar power are becoming more common for use in homes, cars and other things that are common for use in daily life. Although these less common sources of energy are highly effective, some "non-believers" see no point in them. Sometimes costly, alternative energy sources have proven to be worth the price by saving the environment from such pollutants as fossil fuels and other harmful substances. Many argue that structures such as wind turbines are dangerous because they are heavy and often harm birds flying close to them. Others suggest that in the long run, they are only going to help the world to become a more efficient place to live. I believe that wind turbines and other alternative energy sources are an excellent addition to today's society and that they can only get better as technology advances. Perhaps one day, those who doubt their effectiveness will see that they're helping much more than they are harming.
I myself have had experience with wind power. At the beach where my family owns a house, Gilgo Beach, we fought off the local officials who wanted to put over 500 wind turbines 3-4 miles out to sea. We won the fight, but I still support the cause, I oppose wind power. It is loud and an eyesore, when we where fighting the building of the turbines we learned a few things about them. One is that they are extremely expensive, so to pay for them it would mean a large spike in taxes. The second, though it applies more to the wind turbines out at sea, is that they would have extreme challenges repairing. Also is that they are extremely vulnerable to damage, when they are out at sea they can barley withstand 50kt winds. I believe that wind power is a good source of alternate energy; it just has a few kinks that they have to work out of it. I feel that the best source of alternate energy at this time is hydroelectricity, it doesn’t create waste products and it is efficient. Hydroelectric power is efficient and reliable, where as wind power relies on an every changing element, wind, where as with hydroelectric power as long as there is water in the river you get power. Hydroelectricity is also expensive, but you get “more bang for your buck.” Hydroelectricity powers more people’s homes and is more reliable where with wind power, energy is dependant on the wind, which is not something that you cannot rely on, and it’s just a variable that man will never be able to control in a natural environment.
Recently the wind turbines installed throughout New York have been criticized for their other effects on the environment. I believe they are unnecessary and though somewhat beneficial, they are much more expensive for taxpayers and a problem for the airborne creatures of nature. Though it is helping fight the highly publicized battle against global warming, this alternative energy is not without its drawbacks. Throughout the U.S., wind turbines are killing birds and bats while being noisy and inefficient, serving only as a symbol for the “advances” in renewable energy. It seems as though large “green” corporations see the global warming dilemma as a chance to turn nature white with the amounts of turbines they are planning to put in. But for what reason you may ask. These companies are not looking to save the planet, but only to ride the wave of fear that has been created by programs and movies like “An Inconvenient Truth.” Not to say that there isn’t a huge problem facing us, but the fact of the matter is that in a nation that depends almost entirely on oil, switching to wind power will be a feat in itself. As a country, we will need different sources of energy and I do not believe we should sacrifice so much land for what I believe is not nearly the best type of energy source. I propose solar and more hydroelectric energy in New York to help power our towns and do minimal damage to our environment. We could slow global warming and also keep our state aesthetically pleasing and pleasing for the wildlife living alongside us.
Wind turbines: a sign of a greener future? Or a hypocritical attempt at trying to protect the earth while harming it? All over the United States, wind turbines are being erected in attempts to relieve our nations dependency on fossil fuels. In New York alone, they are proposing to expand win farms to generate more energy for the state. But not far behind these expansions follows controversy. Many believe that these turbines are creating more harm than good, that they're a danger to migratory birds, are an eyesore, and are too noisy. Personally, I disagree with the critics. Yes, these wind turbines may be a danger to birds, but which would you prefer: Birds dying right now, or birds, along with many other living things, slowly dying because of the harmful environmental effects of fossil fuels? According to powerofwind.com, wind turbines aren’t even excessively noisy, sounding no noisier than a refrigerator from about 1000 yards away. Also, wind turbines have the potential of eliminating the entire gas shortage; “Ample wind plants could be built within four years to eliminate the entire gas shortage, which is estimated at 3-4 billion cubic feet of gas per day.” All of this evidence proves that wind energy has great potential to helping our planet earth. I think that people need to accept the fact the possibility of sacrificing other things for the bigger picture. Yes, migratory birds may be in danger, and yes, some people may consider turbines as eyesores; but in reality, the benefits of these wind farms greatly outweigh the consequences.
Due to the rising prices of propane and the decrease in availability of fossil fuels, it is necessary that alternative sources of energy are utilized. A few years ago, New York State installed several wind farms, and plans to continue with the construction of these farms. Although I do support the state's decision to use other sources of power that are safe for the environment, the state should not construct additional wind turbines until the builders are able to perfect the turbines. While the turbines do displace over 100,000 tons of carbon dioxide, which is the equivalent of removing over 20,000 cars from the road, the turbines can be very unhealthy for humans and birds. The noise emitted from these turbines can be heard by humans who live within a mile of the wind farms, and the noise level increases during the nighttime. As a result, many people have difficulty sleeping, and according to the World Health Organization, noise interferes with speech comprehension which can promote fatigue, uncertainty, and lack of self-confidence. Unwanted noise can also interfere with a child's ability to learn and concentrate. While researchers have not held wind turbines responsible for these effects, these turbines do release unwanted noise that disturb the lives of those who live near the wind farms. Research also has proven that migratory fly into the turbines, and over 1 million birds die each year due to collisions with tall structures. While organizations have been formed to resolve the problems with turbines, the major issues have not yet been solved. Therefore, further construction of the wind farms should be halted until the technology of these farms are perfected.
Considering the conflict and war resulting from the demand for oil, wind energy seems to be a safe alternative. We must take into consideration that no matter which route we take ultimately the environment or our economy is going to suffer. If we turn to nuclear energy we risk the possiblity of terrorists attack destroying the nation or even risk contaminating our the earth by the process of implanting the nuclear materials into the ground until radiation is lost. While yes the wind power may lead to harming the environment to a certain extent this is not the main issue that could be focused on that would harm the environment. We do multiple things that harm the environment and do not aid the society. So before we start pointing fingers for using wind energy we should focus on the other things we have done. Wind energy is safe and free and creates a self-sufficient energy source. In this case we will not only gain independence from energy resources but eliminate foreign conflict. Ultimately the environmental harm will be a small price to pay.
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