Independence on the Horizon?
I realize that you must *click* on this photo to enlarge it to properly see it!
I have always stayed on the straight and narrow, avoiding controversy at nearly all cost, as I am not one who enjoys debates. Lively discussion always interests me as long as participants are on “equal ground”….ie, “informed”.
A few years back, there was a lot of hubbub regarding installing wind generators in our neck of the woods. Folks were vehemently opposed. Reasons included chasing away wildlife, killing birds with their guillotine-like blades, and just ruining the beauty of the hills surrounding us.
One of the most influential nay-sayers was self-made Rochester billionaire Tom Golisano. Mr. Golisano grew up in Rochester, just an average kid from an average family. He had one of those “lightbulb going off” moments several years ago when he decided he would open a company doing payrolls offsite for companies. Thus, his “baby”, Paychex, was formed. Despite banks declining to loan him the funding, he used every asset he could, and beat the odds and, well, the rest is (as *they* say) history.
After researching further the benefits, as well as liabilities of wind-generated power, Mr. Golisano became a believer…..beginning yet a new venture called Empire State Wind Energy. (totally unrelated, he is also the owner of the Buffalo Sabres)
Mr. Golisano went around to areas considered to be likely sites for generators, presenting the benefits and facts regarding these behemoths and beginning heated discussions amongst townspeople. One of the areas was a small town south of Naples, called Cohocton. As we drove through this little community, it was obvious the homeowners’ stance regarding wind power, as they either had signs declaring “no”, or, “yes”. A few months ago, supporters began sporting little wooden replicas of generators in the front of their homes.
I read with interest many of the arguments in the community, but as life got busy here, I kind of forgot all about it.
Thus, the photo above, taken this morning, was a great surprise as I saw the gigantic towers standing on the hillsides! I had seen machinery on the hills for months, but had no idea the windfarm had advanced to this stage!
Yes, the towers aren’t the prettiest things to look at. However, in July of 2006, we visited the Tug Hill windfarm. We traveled the roads leading to the towers and we even stood under the towers. We found cows peacefully grazing and I never saw a bird even come close to the blades which happen to spin, not rapidly, but at an almost hypnotizingly steady pace.
As the price of gasoline and travel are on the increase, as well as the shrinking dollar on the world market, I see these windfarms as a symbol of independence. After all, isn’t that what America is all about?
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I know that many people think windfarms are ugly, but I find something almost spiritual about them – maybe it’s the mesmerising rotation of the blades, which as you say is much calmer than you’d imagine.
Thanks for all your various visits to my blog – I really appreciate your leaving comments, and I’m glad you like it!
Jackie
I don’t mind folk having ‘uninformed’ opinions, so long as they realise they are uninformed and are prepared to listen to, and seriously consider, other opinions as well. I like debate; so much so that my son and I used to have long arguments and find ourselves at the end defending the position we had started out attacking. It sharpens the mind and the wits and so long as it isn’t taken personally, then where’s the harm.
Re wind-farms, I’ve a somewhat ambivalent position on this. At a distance, as Jackie indicates, they can be beautiful; up close I’m not so sure. In terms of electricity generation for local consumption, then I’d probably concede it is a good thing for the local community and for the environment.
However, we need to remember there is a significant environmental cost in building and maintaining turbines and the creation of large-scale windfarms and the infrastructure required to transmit the energy to the consumers at a significant distance (i.e. national or US statewide grids) is significant.
The problem comes in trying to balance of the costs of different sources (and the separate agendas of the ‘experts’ who advise us) versus the need to reduce consumption in total worldwide (and I’m as much to blame as anyone for this – making up for the times when I had to economise!.
Sorry for the lengthy post, as you’ll gather I feel I can identify one of the problems, but not the solution. An extremely uncomfortable position to be in.
Jackie, yes, I find those huge turbines captivating!
Bill, thank you for your input. It really is greatly appreciated. In all honesty, I could probably live quite comfortably with minimal electricity. My dream is to live FAR off the main grid! I dream of living in a tiny house with little “junk” or “stuff” to own me. The reason I am supportive of the turbines is that wind is one of the few “renewable” resources that can be harnessed for consumption. Right now, I am so appalled at the price of gas that I would gladly abide UNDER one of those huge turbines contentedly!!! hehehe
Growing up in the US, I guess one of our greatest love/hate relationships is with petroleum products. And believe me, anyone who has $$$ invested in stocks here is certainly gleaning benefits of some kind from Exxon Mobil. Arghhhh!!!!
Thanks again, for your input! You are welcome to voice your thoughts any time! And, believe me when I say, I am probably right there beside you when it comes to being in that uncomfortable position!!! We can only make choices based on what we know….OR, what we are “allowed” to know!