NO Residential Wind North Kingstown
A coalition of concerned citizens in opposition to industrial size wind turbines in North Kingstown, Rhode Island
Windfall - Official Trailer
The film observes the deeply divided residents of Meredith, New York as they debate the pros and cons of allowing wind turbines on their land. Local proponents champion the promise of green energy and monetary compensation, while detractors question the efficiency of wind-generated energy and the drawbacks of living among 400-foot tall towers with gigantic rotating blades. Attracted at first to the financial incentives that would seemingly boost their dying economy, the townspeople grow increasingly alarmed as they discover that the 400-foot high windmills slated for Meredith are far from a renewable energy source. Hauntingly filmed, WINDFALL exposes the dark side of wind energy development and the unforeseen consequences of "progress." With wind development in the United States growing annually at 39 percent, WINDFALL is an eye-opener that should be required viewing for anyone concerned about the environment and the future of renewable energy.
Click below for reviews in the following publications:
Washington Post - Wall Street Journal
The film observes the deeply divided residents of Meredith, New York as they debate the pros and cons of allowing wind turbines on their land. Local proponents champion the promise of green energy and monetary compensation, while detractors question the efficiency of wind-generated energy and the drawbacks of living among 400-foot tall towers with gigantic rotating blades. Attracted at first to the financial incentives that would seemingly boost their dying economy, the townspeople grow increasingly alarmed as they discover that the 400-foot high windmills slated for Meredith are far from a renewable energy source. Hauntingly filmed, WINDFALL exposes the dark side of wind energy development and the unforeseen consequences of "progress." With wind development in the United States growing annually at 39 percent, WINDFALL is an eye-opener that should be required viewing for anyone concerned about the environment and the future of renewable energy.
Click below for reviews in the following publications:
Washington Post - Wall Street Journal
Two videos illustrating shadow flicker from the 340 foot turbine in Portsmouth, RI
CTV News Report on health problems near wind turbines
News report from CTV in Canada. Helen and Bill Fraser initially supported the nearby wind farm in Melancthon, Ontario. One turbine sat close to the Fraser's kitchen window. "We thought, more green energy, this is great," Helen told CTV News. However, Helen says she developed headaches, body aches and she had trouble sleeping. Meanwhile, the family dog began wetting the floor at night since the turbines were installed.
News report from CTV in Canada. Helen and Bill Fraser initially supported the nearby wind farm in Melancthon, Ontario. One turbine sat close to the Fraser's kitchen window. "We thought, more green energy, this is great," Helen told CTV News. However, Helen says she developed headaches, body aches and she had trouble sleeping. Meanwhile, the family dog began wetting the floor at night since the turbines were installed.
Do wind turbines kill birds?
The Federal government estimates indicate that 22,000 wind turbines in operation in 2009 were killing 440,000 birds per year. The American Bird Conservancy (ABC) on April 5, 2011 put out this video of a wind turbine striking a bird. It clearly shows just exactly what the bird conservancy and other wildlife advocacy groups are talking about when they say wind farms are lethal for birds. The move is part of a campaign seeking “bird smart” design and deployment of wind energy.
The Federal government estimates indicate that 22,000 wind turbines in operation in 2009 were killing 440,000 birds per year. The American Bird Conservancy (ABC) on April 5, 2011 put out this video of a wind turbine striking a bird. It clearly shows just exactly what the bird conservancy and other wildlife advocacy groups are talking about when they say wind farms are lethal for birds. The move is part of a campaign seeking “bird smart” design and deployment of wind energy.
What about bats?
Bats' lungs, like those of other mammals, are balloon-like, with two-way airflow ending in thin flexible sacs surrounded by capillaries, the researchers explained. When outside pressure drops, those sacs can over-expand, bursting the capillaries around them. Sadly, just by flying near wind turbines bats actually explode. It is estimated that the number of bat deaths per year due to wind turbines is exponentially higher than the 440,000 bird deaths per year.
Bats' lungs, like those of other mammals, are balloon-like, with two-way airflow ending in thin flexible sacs surrounded by capillaries, the researchers explained. When outside pressure drops, those sacs can over-expand, bursting the capillaries around them. Sadly, just by flying near wind turbines bats actually explode. It is estimated that the number of bat deaths per year due to wind turbines is exponentially higher than the 440,000 bird deaths per year.
Shadow Flicker? It isn't that bad, right?
Watch the video and see for yourself....
Watch the video and see for yourself....
What happens when the braking systems fails?
A windmill in Denmark collapsed during a storm on Feb 22, 2008. The braking system failed while two technicians worked in the turret at the top. The technicians were able to get out before the collapse. Pieces of the shattered turbine were sent more than 1640 feet away. According to the Copenhagen Post Denmark experienced two such incidents of Vestas wind turbines collapsing during high winds within the same week in February 2008, one of which was captured on video. Both of the windmills were produced by Vestas, In first of the two collapses, near the city of Århus, a windmill began spinning out of control during high winds. A recording of the explosion-like collapse shows one of the wing blades breaking off, casting debris into the three other wings and shearing the 180 foot tower nearly in half.
A windmill in Denmark collapsed during a storm on Feb 22, 2008. The braking system failed while two technicians worked in the turret at the top. The technicians were able to get out before the collapse. Pieces of the shattered turbine were sent more than 1640 feet away. According to the Copenhagen Post Denmark experienced two such incidents of Vestas wind turbines collapsing during high winds within the same week in February 2008, one of which was captured on video. Both of the windmills were produced by Vestas, In first of the two collapses, near the city of Århus, a windmill began spinning out of control during high winds. A recording of the explosion-like collapse shows one of the wing blades breaking off, casting debris into the three other wings and shearing the 180 foot tower nearly in half.
What can a fire department do if the turbine catches fire?
In a word, nothing. The potential for a fire always exists when electronics, flammable oils and hydraulic fluids exist in the same enclosure. Electrical fires can also result from both shorts in equipment and surges due to lightning strikes. Additionally, secondary wind driven brush fires originating from wind turbine fires can result in significant additional damage. Given the remote nature of the wind turbines (mounted over 100 feet in the air), little can be done from a traditional fire-fighting perspective. In one of many examples, as recently as November 2010 in Australia the 3rd wind turbine fire in Southern Australia in 4 years when firefighters arrived on scene there was little to they could but watch the blaze from over 1600 feet away, as the situation was deemed too dangerous to approach. “There was not a damn thing you could do about it,” said firefighter Greg Crawford of the turbine fire. Firefighters were told to retreat a further 500 meters (1640 feet) away from the fire, as the blades continued to spin. “There were tips of the blades flying some distance,” said Mr. Crawford. “You could go no closer than a kilometer away.” Water cannot be used to extinguish the cause of a wind turbine fire, as the turbine’s hub contains a large electrical network and from ground to blade tip. Wing turbine blade tips can spin at over 150 MPH.
Click Here for the Birds Landing Wind Turbine News Report
In a word, nothing. The potential for a fire always exists when electronics, flammable oils and hydraulic fluids exist in the same enclosure. Electrical fires can also result from both shorts in equipment and surges due to lightning strikes. Additionally, secondary wind driven brush fires originating from wind turbine fires can result in significant additional damage. Given the remote nature of the wind turbines (mounted over 100 feet in the air), little can be done from a traditional fire-fighting perspective. In one of many examples, as recently as November 2010 in Australia the 3rd wind turbine fire in Southern Australia in 4 years when firefighters arrived on scene there was little to they could but watch the blaze from over 1600 feet away, as the situation was deemed too dangerous to approach. “There was not a damn thing you could do about it,” said firefighter Greg Crawford of the turbine fire. Firefighters were told to retreat a further 500 meters (1640 feet) away from the fire, as the blades continued to spin. “There were tips of the blades flying some distance,” said Mr. Crawford. “You could go no closer than a kilometer away.” Water cannot be used to extinguish the cause of a wind turbine fire, as the turbine’s hub contains a large electrical network and from ground to blade tip. Wing turbine blade tips can spin at over 150 MPH.
Click Here for the Birds Landing Wind Turbine News Report
Wind Turbine Noise
It is difficult not to hear it.... What is that constant jet-engine like sound that doesn't go away? Yeah, that is the turbine..
It is difficult not to hear it.... What is that constant jet-engine like sound that doesn't go away? Yeah, that is the turbine..
Wind energy and the influence of government subsidies
Switching from conventional sources of electricity like coal and natural gas to renewables like wind and solar, our elected leaders tell us, will reduce pollution, advance renewable technology and spark a green jobs revolution.
Is renewable energy really a green pathway to a brighter economic future? Or is it nothing more than a heavily subsidized impossible dream?
To learn more, Reason.tv spoke with Cal State Fullerton economist Robert Michaels and Mark Tholke, an executive at enXco.
Switching from conventional sources of electricity like coal and natural gas to renewables like wind and solar, our elected leaders tell us, will reduce pollution, advance renewable technology and spark a green jobs revolution.
Is renewable energy really a green pathway to a brighter economic future? Or is it nothing more than a heavily subsidized impossible dream?
To learn more, Reason.tv spoke with Cal State Fullerton economist Robert Michaels and Mark Tholke, an executive at enXco.
They’re Not Green takes the viewer from the wind industry in Palm Springs, California, where it all began, to the larger national canvas where it has evolved into the most highly subsidized, and one of the least productive forms of energy in the U.S. today. This thoroughly researched documentary examines the environmental effects of wind power, including its limited impact upon reducing CO2 emissions, its potentially negative health implications “Wind Turbine Syndrome”, the killing of thousands of birds at Altamont Pass, and its contributions to soil erosion due to the degradation and destruction of surrounding vegetation. They’re Not Green questions the ability of the wind power industry to do anything more than further burden the already wounded American taxpayer.
How does 30 hours of shadow flicker sound to you?
See another example of flicker. Also, watch how a public service commission in Wisconsin decides on the fate of residents on how much shadow flicker they will endure in their homes. How do they pick a number? Not for experiencing it themselves or using recommendations from health professionals or scientists, they use the "what are other towns doing?" approach.
We deserve better than this in North Kingstown.
See another example of flicker. Also, watch how a public service commission in Wisconsin decides on the fate of residents on how much shadow flicker they will endure in their homes. How do they pick a number? Not for experiencing it themselves or using recommendations from health professionals or scientists, they use the "what are other towns doing?" approach.
We deserve better than this in North Kingstown.
Jim Hummel Report - A Lot of Wind...
1.13.2011
Wind energy became a hot topic last year as the Deepwater Wind project off Block Island played out before the Public Utilities Commission and the General Assembly. In 2011, the focus has shifted to the mainland, where many local communities are grappling with the pros and cons of wind turbines coming to their own backyards - literally. Jim Hummel, who has been tracking the issue since last fall, finds that ground zero for that discussion has been North Kingstown.
1.13.2011
Wind energy became a hot topic last year as the Deepwater Wind project off Block Island played out before the Public Utilities Commission and the General Assembly. In 2011, the focus has shifted to the mainland, where many local communities are grappling with the pros and cons of wind turbines coming to their own backyards - literally. Jim Hummel, who has been tracking the issue since last fall, finds that ground zero for that discussion has been North Kingstown.
Jim Hummel Report - Net Metering
1.20.2011
Two years ago, in an effort to promote wind energy, the legislature changed the law on "net metering" - a practice that allows the owners of wind turbines to sell any power they don't use back to National Grid. It seemed to make sense in the drive to encourage development of renewable energy sources. But, as Jim Hummel finds, the change in law opened up a huge loophole that is now the subject of an investigation by the Public Utilities Commission.
1.20.2011
Two years ago, in an effort to promote wind energy, the legislature changed the law on "net metering" - a practice that allows the owners of wind turbines to sell any power they don't use back to National Grid. It seemed to make sense in the drive to encourage development of renewable energy sources. But, as Jim Hummel finds, the change in law opened up a huge loophole that is now the subject of an investigation by the Public Utilities Commission.
