Wind turbines seem to be one of the most controversial renewable energy source out there. On one hand they offer cheap local power. On the other hand no one seems to want them next to their house. The first part I get the second part baffles me.
First lets look at the basic premise of wind power, "free electricity from thin air". Ok so maybe it not that simple. The turbines cost money and there's always maintenance costs but once you account for those expenses the power itself is free. As long as you don't put your wind farm in the path of migratory birds all you need in a location with lots of wind.
Sounds great right I mean sign me up where can I get almost free power from the wind. Well some people don't see it that way. People near proposed wind farms complain about a lot of things. They're worried about the noise, or they think the turbines will be dangerous, or they're concerned about the health effects. Strangely the number 1 concern I read about in my news reader is aesthetics, people complain that wind turbines are eyesores. What a load of crap!
I have one thing to say about that and it's best summed up by these pictures:
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| Wind Farm |
Smog in the L.A. valley |
So what's the eyesore now huh. I'd much rather have a view of wind turbines than of pollution. And if you see it the other way around you're crazy. I rest my case.
