Vt wind power update

[ski_resort_observer]

In the past couple of years I have been dismayed at the lack of state and local support for wind power. Just heard on the news that a 15 turbine wind farm has been proposed right next to the current 10 year old wind farm in Searsburg in southern Vt.. Initial reports is that the state and the locals are gonna support it. I think it's called the Deerfield Project, something like that. Crossing my fingers. Links when they become available.

 

[Greg]

I noticed the Searsburg site on the way to Snow in November. I haven't been to Snow in a number of years and it was a surprising view. Pretty impressive. The NIMBYs must be out of their minds.

 

[drjeff]

In the past couple of years I have been dismayed at the lack of state and local support for wind power. Just heard on the news that a 15 turbine wind farm has been proposed right next to the current 10 year old wind farm in Searsburg in southern Vt.. Initial reports is that the state and the locals are gonna support it. I think it's called the Deerfield Project, something like that. Crossing my fingers. Links when they become available.

The big problem is so many people get the "I'm for it, but not in my backyard" rant going, and then with something like the turbines, they go in place, the the folks nearby realize that its not that big a deal at all, and more than not creates a spectacular new sight to see. I know I still on a clear enough day, stop and pause a minute as I'm heading down the backside of Mt Snow to stare at those turbines, an awesome sight!

Similarly, I bet if all the liberal elitist politicians that live on the South Shore of Cape Cod could get off their high and mighty no Cape Wind stance, they'd see that the benefits would far outweigh the perceived visual negatives that they fear, as oppsoed to all the BS they're claiming based on migratory bird patterns and navagational issues

 

[Greg]

Similarly, I bet if all the liberal elitist politicians that live on the South Shore of Cape Cod could get off their high and mighty no Cape Wind stance, they'd see that the benefits would far outweigh the perceived visual negatives that they fear, as oppsoed to all the BS they're claiming based on migratory bird patterns and navagational issues

No politics please.

 

[ski_resort_observer]

The big problem is so many people get the "I'm for it, but not in my backyard" rant going, and then with something like the turbines, they go in place, the the folks nearby realize that its not that big a deal at all, and more than not creates a spectacular new sight to see. I know I still on a clear enough day, stop and pause a minute as I'm heading down the backside of Mt Snow to stare at those turbines, an awesome sight!

Similarly, I bet if all the liberal elitist politicians that live on the South Shore of Cape Cod could get off their high and mighty no Cape Wind stance, they'd see that the benefits would far outweigh the perceived visual negatives that they fear, as oppsoed to all the BS they're claiming based on migratory bird patterns and navagational issues

The fact that is right next to the Searsburg site is the key here and makes this a very unique project, the reason for my optimism. Your comments, in general, are correct, but each project is diferent in so many diferent ways, as well.

 

[drjeff]

No politics please.

Sorry, no snow frustration coming through on that one

 

[tree_skier]

Similarly, I bet if all the liberal elitist politicians that live on the South Shore of Cape Cod could get off their high and mighty no Cape Wind stance, they'd see that the benefits would far outweigh the perceived visual negatives that they fear, as oppsoed to all the BS they're claiming based on migratory bird patterns and navagational issues

You have to realize the navigational hazzards those towers would create for thier million dollar yachts (like the scaramouch) while they are having a few cocktails.

 

[riverc0il]

last i checked, most of the wind farm projects proposed for the NEK have stalled out for the most part. i haven't seen any news in the paper for some time about where things stand. not that there won't be more fight, but it looks like an uphill battle for wind around here.

 

[ctenidae]

One of the problems is that GE and a manufacturer in Europe (Dutch or Swedish, I think) are teh only two companies making the turbines, and they've got a backlog of 3-5 years on orders. As a result, even if you do get approval for the project and have funding lined up and all your ducks in a row, you're still 3-5 years out from being able to start, which is an awful lot of time for the NIMBYs to get re-organized.

 

[ski_resort_observer]

New wind project proposal for West Rutland
http://www.timesargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070615/NEWS02/706150333/1003/NEWS02

 

[ctenidae]

It's not Vermont, but T. Boone Pickens (of oil fame) is starting a neww 4,000 MW wind project in west Texas. 4,000 MW is an awful lot- like, 4,000 turbines. Yikes.

 

[Marc]

It's not Vermont, but T. Boone Pickens (of oil fame) is starting a neww 4,000 MW wind project in west Texas. 4,000 MW is an awful lot- like, 4,000 turbines. Yikes.

GE makes a 1.5 MW, 2.5 MW and 3.6 MW rated model... so probably not quite 4,000, but still a lot. And pretty cool.

 

[ski_resort_observer]

Really great article in yesterday's Vermont Sunday Magazine
http://vermonttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070617/FEATURES/70615003/1002/FEATURES02

The article contained a really cool pic of the wind turbine on Grandpa's Knob west of Rutland, first large turbine in the world, but unfortunately it's not in the web version. I'll scan it later.