Where We Live: A Mighty Wind
Discussing the nation's first off shore wind farm
As the oil spill crisis continues off the coast of Louisiana, it's a better time than ever to talk about clean energy.
President obama said this in his address to the nation recently – and his administration is still pushing for a moratorium on deepwater drilling, despite a federal judges ruling, blocking their plan.
While climate legislation continues to be stalled, clean energy advocates have had some good news recently, when the federal government approved the nation's first offshore wind farm, the Cape Wind Project in Nantucket Sound.
Wind industry insiders say this project ushers in a new era where wind power can become a major part of our energy mix—but critics worry that the plans are too expensive and too intrusive. Today, where we live we’ll revisit our conversation about the controversial Cape Wind Project and ask what Connecticut might learn from our neighbors to the North.
And, we’ll find out about the reality of wind power in CT and elsewhere.
Join the conversation with reporters, and industry experts---leave your comments below.
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"Every form of energy has an impact"
Comments
Listener Email from Eddy
While land-based, wind farm siting is a very important consideration, so too is the benefit to the agricultural community. In Somerset, PA, farmers who have turbines on their property get a small portion of their income from wind (4-5%), but a large portion of their annual profit (40-80%) from them……which is fixed.
Listener Email from Mary
The late Senator Kennedy's point was not just about the view - it was about who owns wind, private developers, the same old oil and gas companines or the public?
Note that the energy from the wind farm approved off of Block Island will neither be "owned" by Block Island residents, nor ensure that BI becomes energy independent. This is the problem - wind energy ought be the first step in a distributed energy network where communities can develop sustainable energy budgets.
Note also that the fact that wind is pegged to the ever changing price of a barrel of oil, rather than the fixed long-term cost of wind farm construction reveals that the oil and gas industry is still managing our energy future.
Listener Email from Peter
I have been wondering for a while now if it would be feasible to put some wind turbines on top of the old landfill in the Hartford meadows. I also run across the Charter Oak bridge occasionally and thought that putting a couple turbines up there might be a good idea. Especially with the trash to energy plant close by and the high voltage power lines available for transmission.
Listener Email from Tara
People who oppose wind power because it would spoil their view are either superficial or just plain dumb. Would they rather a natural gas drill in their precious view which will run the risk of contaminating their drinking water instead? People need to wake up and realize we need a better solution to our energy crisis, and wind power seems to be a step in the right direction.
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