Contents of RauwLetter July 2010
- Public and Private Entities Working to Reduce Fossil Fuel Consumption
- Just the Facts
- Not In My "Green" Backyard
- You Have To Spend Money to Make Money
- Subscribe
Not In My "Green" Backyard
Even the most robust of environmentalist can think twice about an alternative energy project right in their own backyard. A proposed wind farm along a mountainous ridge in the green mountain state is the source of conflicting emotions and strong opinion.
Approximately six years ago a large wind farm project atop this same ridge, Glebe Mountain, Vermont, was defeated for a number of reasons, predominantly a lack of local advantages and a lot of local disadvantages. Backed by the Town of Windham’s and the Town of Londonderry’s ordinances that unequivocally and specifically “prohibit commercial wind energy systems” in what is known as the Resource Conservation Overlay District, the project was defeated. Rumor is now growing that wind turbines are being contemplated once again.
The issue is a challenge, one that many of us could face in the near future as the U.S. tries to limit its security exposure and energy dependence on out-of-country suppliers. Not only have the installation of wind turbines been controversial, the aesthetics of solar panels have been put before town boards, the question of what to do with nuclear waste has been widely debated for decades, issues surrounding corn-based fuels are plentiful as are arguments against the routing of natural gas pipelines.
Obviously, there are no quick and easy answers to the growing world-wide demand for energy. Conservation is, of course, a simple and effective piece of the answer. Seems the other pieces that will ultimately make up our energy future will be contentious at best. The only thing we know for sure is, “If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.” Lao Tzu
