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Governors Form Bi-Partisan Wind Power Coalition

sustainablog.org — Governor Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota (R) and Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico (D) have joined forces to promote a “Governors Windpower Coalition” to increase the use of wind energy across the United States.

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  • dev41, on 12/11/2007, -1/+5This is good news, and it's even better if the governors start to include plans to pay for transmission lines where needed, too.
    • vornan19, on 12/11/2007, -0/+3What is better news for me is that "New Mexico is the highest per-capita wind power user the nation."
      Usually NM is best at something bad; and before you digg me down it is true. I'm just as tired as any other New Mexican of hearing another crummy statistic that paints us bad. So Yay wind power!
    • soulpiercer7, on 12/11/2007, -1/+3Bill Richardson 2008!
  • SpykerSpeed, on 12/11/2007, -2/+3Do wind farms affect weather? I don't mean to start a debate or put a spin on this, I'm genuinely curious.
    • BlakeEM, on 12/11/2007, -1/+7I highly doubt it...
    • akeating, on 12/11/2007, -2/+3They have to, at least to some degree. I mean, the energy we're taking out of the wind would have gone somewhere. Let's just hope it's so minimal we don't have to worry about THAT environmental damage in ~80 years.
    • Hobbes24, on 12/11/2007, -0/+3no...
      well, yes, but basically no.

      they would have to be MUCH larger, and span over an absurd amount of coutry to affect weather cycles. I suppose one could make the argument that the slight variations a wind farm causes could change weather, but you could make the same argument with a butterfly flapping its wings in brazille
      this theory being called, creatively enough, the butterfly effect.
    • Manhigh, on 12/11/2007, -0/+2I doubt they'd take more energy from the wind than a large wooded area. Trees, buildings, and other tall objects remove energy from the wind via drag, and don't do anything really useful with it. I'd imagine a wind turbine removes a lot less energy from the windstream than a building (once they get moving you only have to overcome friction in the rotor)

      I hope Gov Strickland of Ohio signs onto this.
    • VitriolAndAngst, on 12/11/2007, -0/+3Not any more than trees. If you think about the wind resistance of a forest -- where every leaf causes drag -- versus a prop, there is no comparison. If you filled up half of North America -- you MIGHT have to start worrying -- but I'm sure the bigger problem would be all the dead birds. LARGER units have more speed at the tip -- but should be easier for birds to avoid.

      I'm a fan of the egg-beater style. I'm not sure why that doesn't gain more acceptance because it is omni-directional.

      Another thing that holds even more promise is tethered wind farms -- putting these things on a blimp and raising it up to the level of the trade winds. More wind and more dependable. But to me, as long as these things are aesthetic -- they don't look like an eye sore. A lot better than the power lines and billboards that litter the landscape.
      • VitriolAndAngst, on 12/11/2007, -0/+2Oh, here is a take-off on the "upright eggbeater style" someone mentioned below; http://www.helixwind.com/en/
        This is more efficient than the prop style.
        Another type would be based upon and "enclosed" turbine chamber -- kind of a takeoff on what Jaque Coustea used on his boat -- an outer tube that ran wind over an air foil and allowed power to the boat at almost any direction to the wind -- you could use the same technique for a wind generator -- it would just look like a cylinder from the outside and have a vertical slit towards the wind and away from the wind.
    • soulpiercer7, on 12/11/2007, -1/+3Bill Richardson 2008
    • Gemfinder, on 12/11/2007, -0/+1Well, you can check the wind farms in Temecula and just east of Livermore, CA. I lived in the Bay Area for 38 years and I didn't notice much impact on the weather there. Daly City still fogged in at 3PM every day, Redwood City and Sunnyvale ranked #1 and #3 in best climate in the state consistently, and the Mediterranean climate in the North Bay was...Mediterranean.
    • Ferretman, on 12/11/2007, -0/+1There's no evidence that they do; I suspect not. I doubt anybody has studied it though.
    • darkciti2, on 12/11/2007, -0/+2By definition of physics, they have to, but to such a small degree it won't be noticeable for hundreds of years or more. Hopefully, by the time the Earth has wind-farms large enough to impact the weather, humans will be much more advanced and we'll be colonizing new planets (erm, Mars anyone)?
  • Paktu, on 12/11/2007, -6/+4Here we see the actions of two men who really, really want to be Vice President. You probably already know this about Richardson, but if you don't believe me about Pawlenty check out Intrade.com- he's one of the frontrunners.
    • MacEnvy, on 12/11/2007, -0/+7I don't care why they're doing it. It's the right thing to do.
    • soulpiercer7, on 12/11/2007, -1/+3Bill Richardson 2008 for PRESIDENT!
  • forgiste, on 12/11/2007, -2/+4hopefully soon you'll see these all over the place:

    http://www.helixwind.com/en/
  • MadN, on 12/11/2007, -5/+5We need a wind farm in front of the National Republican Convention; limitless power....
  • sexydarin, on 12/11/2007, -6/+2Wind farms cost more and are less reliant than other conventional energies. They are down most of the time for lack of wind or maintenance. Coal is an almost limitless enery and if it can be burned cleaner, would be able to produce a lot of energy for hundreds of year. Same as nuclear energy and solar energy. Solar energy also needs innovation to become more reliable. Wind power is the least reliable energy and will never make up more than 20% of the populations energy needs, unless innovations can keep the turbines running constantly.
    • thebellmaster1x, on 12/11/2007, -0/+4"Coal is an almost limitless enery"
      WOOP WOOP WOOP WO--
      Oh, sorry, that's my BS detector.

      Coal is limitless--'til we run out of it. It's a fossil fuel just like natural gas and petroleum.
    • chroko, on 12/11/2007, -0/+3Don't be ridiculous. Commercial wind power is already on sale. Look up Xcel Energy's Windsource program, for example. It's not the lack of technology that's primarily holding back renewable energy. It's the lack of deployment - and people who still want to burn coal.

      Yes, average capacity is not peak capacity with solar or wind - but these problems are already faced with traditional power generation. And energy can be easily stored. For example, hydroelectric stations already pump water back up the hill when there's excess power on the grid.
    • BobTrips, on 12/11/2007, -0/+3Do a bit of searching and you'll find multiple studies that demonstrate that the old "20%" stuff doesn't hold true.

      Wind 'could' be the only energy source if multiple sites were linked. Of course there are several other 'green' sources and the best solution to our problems would most likely to combine all.
      • Gemfinder, on 12/11/2007, -0/+1Did you read the story that the UK is building a sea-mounted wind farm and expect to power half the nation with it?
    • wildcattdw, on 12/11/2007, -0/+1"They are down most of the time for lack of wind or maintenance."

      Um, no. The 'mills out here run all the time. They shut them down when electric demand is lower because they are easy to take offline comparted to coal or nuclear.
  • darkciti2, on 12/11/2007, -3/+2Let's hear it Shirley Franklin!!! Please tell me that you're going to bring GA into the future and out of the 'old South.
    Georgia has a plethora of renewable resources that are just getting squandered by block-headed old-school thinking.
    Help us Shirley!!!
    • VitriolAndAngst, on 12/11/2007, -0/+2Shirley so far has been a welcome relief. When she started, I thought we'd get the same old crook -- but if anyone would do it, Shirley would. We need to remember to show her some support -- not let that Cracker, Neal Bortz slam yet another "urban" success story.
    • darkciti2, on 12/11/2007, -0/+2Help us convince Repugnant Governor Perdue that "praying for rain" is as stupid as wishing upon a cloud.
      Action > "dreaming". Thank you for your support of the Nickels's Kyoto resolution (as first presented at the Energy Committee at the U.S. Conference of Mayors). Your cooperation in this effort was a slap in the face to Cheney's Oil machine - We the citizens of Atlanta, thank you.
  • toxicshok, on 12/11/2007, -5/+2I'm more of a fan or nuclear power.
    • thebellmaster1x, on 12/11/2007, -1/+3I'm a pretty big fan of oh Jesus why aren't we doing nuclear, wind, OR solar, or for God's sake anything but fossil fuels.
    • darkciti2, on 12/11/2007, -0/+2If you're a "fan" we need to harness your wind energy!
  • skews13, on 12/11/2007, -3/+3that should be easy enough.all they have to do is ***** start talking
  • outofstep, on 12/11/2007, -1/+2Of course we are in Minnesota, we have so much wind. I'm surprised its taken this long.
  • mal1964, on 12/11/2007, -1/+1U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) Governor Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota (R) Ticket
    I'm saying they'll win but its probably McCain's choice.
  • akeating, on 12/11/2007, -1/+2Can someone tell me what we get out of wind farms in terms of net energy? I know they generate moderate amounts, but can they make up for all the energy spent mining/smelting/transporting/maintaining them in their lifetime?
    • darkciti2, on 12/11/2007, -0/+2Yes. Carbon fiber is created by epoxys and elastic fibers (both of which are by-products of petroleum [I think]). Using Oil waste to create new renewable energy sources is a net-win.

      I love these arguements that proclaim: "What about the impact of producing the renewable energy device?" because they NEVER take into account the ROI (Return On Investment). Yes in the very short term they may require energy to produce, but they net positive on that initial investment in a very short period of time.

      Humans tend to think in terms of human lifetimes (or 20 year "generations"). Machines are "built once and used mostly" - with some basic maintenance.

      Automobiles are different, because they undergo much more extreme amounts of wear-and-tear because they hit bumps, get wrecked, etc.

      Machines that turn renewable sources (light, air, water) into energy, will most likely outlive any energy requirements used to create them.
    • wildcattdw, on 12/11/2007, -0/+2I did a climb test for a maintenance tech job in 1998, and the unit I climbed is running every time I drive by it. The preventative maintenance schedule on them puts them down for a day or two every six months. I've seen a half dozen over the years with broken blades or other such issues, but for the most part, they run, run, run. The newer units have three times the output than the units installed ten years ago.

      Wind is good.
  • greensuit, on 12/11/2007, -1/+3The PM of Great Britain has announced this week that he wants 40,000 windmills along the coast of Britain within 13 years because the worlds supply of oil will start to greatly decrease by then and the price of oil in 2020 will make $100 a barrel look cheap. Wind may not be as dependable as nuclear, but it will cost less and less. And, the reliability of wind generation equipment is increasing. It's a no brainer, we should put-up 1000 windmills across from Ted Kennedy's place in Hyannisport. In reality, what will stop wind power will be the elete in America saying "Not in my backyard."
  • Jamihabs, on 12/11/2007, -2/+5Good luck getting Ted Kennedy on board with wind power.
    http://archive.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2006/2/27/1 ...
    • snotrokit, on 12/11/2007, -1/+5bbbbbut that is where we sail
      • Jamihabs, on 12/11/2007, -0/+3Exactly. We are the Kennedy's. We don't make sacrifices, other people do. You know...the peons.
  • URnotheonly1, on 12/11/2007, -2/+1He said Bi
  • VitriolAndAngst, on 12/11/2007, -1/+5You know, the good guys just stand out these days -- because there are so many low-expectation crooks out there who tell us this stuff can't be done. All the problems America faces are fixable, given the right people and commitment. Every day we have a new breakthrough in energy, conservation, health.
    It's amazing to contrast this Can Do spirit that got us to the Moon, with a group of crooks who can spend $2 trillion on nothing and can't raise Cafe standards 10 mpg in 10 years. Pathetic.
    These two governors give me hope -- and I want for Christmas is impeachment. Yahoo!
  • crazywarthog, on 12/11/2007, -3/+2Dear dumb schmucks. The grennies don't like wind power either !

    Dec. 4, 2007, 4:39PM
    Conservation group sues to stop coastal wind farms

    By JOHN PORRETTO AP Business Writer
    © 2007 The Associated Press

    HOUSTON — The dispute over construction of two wind farms adjacent to the famed King Ranch in south Texas entered the courts Tuesday when an alliance of conservation and related groups filed lawsuits to stop the projects.

    The Coastal Habitat Alliance, which includes King Ranch, filed separate lawsuits in state and federal court in Austin. The federal lawsuit claims the state has not done a thorough analysis of the impact the farms and their massive turbines will have on wetlands, habitat, endangered species and migratory birds. It seeks a declaratory judgment and, if needed, an injunction against the developers, whose combined initial investments are expected to top $1 billion.
    • Gemfinder, on 12/11/2007, -0/+2They just sued to stop the oceanic wave generators from being built off Oregon's coast, too :(
      This in light of evidence that it does nothing to harm sea life.
    • darkciti2, on 12/11/2007, -2/+1I have absolutely ZERO trust in any post that cites Texas, or any city in it, as a trustworthy source of ANYTHING related to OIL, the ENVIRONMENT, or IMMIGRATION.

      Everything is bigger in Texas - Including the BIGGEST IDIOT PRESIDENT EVER ELECTED (George Bush), BIGGER OIL CONTRACTS (Houston and Austin), and MOST CORRUPT GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT (CIA corruption: drug runners, defense contracts, etc).

      I will NEVER trust Texas until it redeems value with the Constitution and the American People.
      • Tusa, on 12/11/2007, -0/+2Texas has far more wind power installed than any other state.
    • Tusa, on 12/11/2007, -1/+1Fake greenies.
  • soulpiercer7, on 12/11/2007, -1/+3Bill Richardson 2008!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    • crazywarthog, on 12/11/2007, -3/+1The dem's power elite don't like the guy. Plus, New Mexico has a whopping 5 electoral votes. Forget it ! I'm not a dumb schmuck !!!
      • Gemfinder, on 12/11/2007, -0/+2No, CNN likes Hillary more than they like anyone else in the race.
        Give us a couple weeks, we might surprise you.
  • t3rmv3locity, on 12/11/2007, -0/+2We should have a vote about this...and then we will have a simple yes/no list of the congressmen in Exxon Mobils pocket.
  • merwin, on 12/11/2007, -0/+2I initially read this as "Governors Form Bi-Curious Wind Power Coalition".
    • patpl22391, on 12/11/2007, -1/+0I doubt anyone would be surprised if it were true.
  • patpl22391, on 12/11/2007, -0/+1I think we should get the Kennedy's opinion on this...oh...that's right....
  • breezytrees, on 12/11/2007, -3/+1Wind power sucks balls. Wind power may not be air pollution, but it definitely is beauty pollution. Anyone who's driven through the hundreds of miles of wind-mill farms in california can attest to this.
  • badbilly, on 12/11/2007, -0/+4Dear RFK Jr.
    please quit acting like you care about the environment and allow the windmills to be installed off Martha's Vineyard.

    Then we'll believe you're efforts are sincere.
  • Farticus, on 12/11/2007, -1/+2They can have some of my wind power if they like, just pay me in beans.
  • Wookie, on 12/11/2007, -2/+1This goes to show that the states can lead policy developments. We need to scale back the federal government to within its constitutional boundaries. Vote Ron Paul.
  • Tusa, on 12/11/2007, -0/+3Good for them. If they get another couple states to sign up, they'll come close to matching the wind power already being produced in Texas!
  • lolo2007, on 01/29/2008, -0/+0You know, the good guys just stand out these days -- because there are so many low-expectation crooks out there who tell us this stuff can't be done. All the problems America faces are fixable, given the right people and commitment. Every day we have a new breakthrough in energy, conservation, health.
    It's amazing to contrast this Can Do spirit that got us to the Moon, with a group of crooks who can spend $2 trillion on nothing and can't raise Cafe standards 10 mpg in 10 years. Pathetic.
    These two governors give me hope -- and I want for Christmas is impeachment. Yahoo!

    http://dir.paramegsoft.com/
    http://game.paramegsoft.com/
    http://download.paramegsoft.com/
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