BS: anti-poverty and wind energy

Subject: BS: anti-poverty and wind energy
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 30 Jan 09 - 02:39 PM

Here is a new way of tieing them in..an anti-poverty grant is buying windmills near where I live, in a very very windy part of the world, and providing free or cheap energy to low-income people. This is interesting because it is not energy money but poverty money that got it set up...but it is a good idea for others to follow..and so much of a low-income family's income is spent on energy often, especially in places like NE USA. Here we have low enough temperatures that if we can stay dry we at least won't freeze, although it can be quite uncomfortable.

This idea also of course could be used for schools, other public institutions etc., with surplus being sold. mg

Subject: RE: BS: anti-poverty and wind energy
From: Ebbie
Date: 30 Jan 09 - 03:03 PM

I'm not sure of the area where you live, mg, but in the Pacific Northwest there are some places where wind could be harnessed. Places like the Columbia River Gorge, for instance. The Hood River area draws wind surfers from all around the world.

Wind farms could be installed either upstream or downstream from there if the players should object to the disfigurement of their environment.

Hells Canyone, Idaho, is another place that seems a natural. Any place, in fact, where geographic features create almost constant air movement.

Subject: RE: BS: anti-poverty and wind energy
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 30 Jan 09 - 03:22 PM

I can understand people not wanting their scenery disturbed..of course it should always be exceeded by the cost of war for energy...

But there are plenty of logged over places here that could be put to use..I personally find windmills pretty but some people will come up with all sorts of arguments. I think the bird concern can be worked around..can't they screen them? Anyway, you don't need blades..you can have more or a rotating can effect. And I guess some people are bothered by a whine they produce but these are pretty rural places. I wonder if they could be put right along roads..because there already is visual and noise pollution..but you would have to worry about cars crashing into them, them toppling on to cars etc..but maybe with a set amount of distance..I do worry about those big blades..mg