Post on 05-Apr-2018
8/2/2019 032712-Wind Energy Myths Rev2
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Wind Energy Myths
Simon Mahan 2012
8/2/2019 032712-Wind Energy Myths Rev2
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About Us
• The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE) hasbeen a leading voice for energy reform to protect thequality of life and treasured places in the Southeast forover 25 years. Founded in 1985, SACE is the onlyregional organization primarily focused on developingclean energy solutions throughout the Southeast.
• As we look towards the future, SACE’s commitment topreserve, restore and protect our environment throughthe use of innovative technology, grassroots andgrasstops education, and pioneer policy work remainssteadfast.
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8/2/2019 032712-Wind Energy Myths Rev2
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Issues
• Aesthetics• Health•
Costs• Environmental• Miscellaneous
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Opposition
• National Wind Watch (www.wind-watch.org) • American Wind Energy Opposition (www.aweo.org) • Industrial Wind Action Group (www.windaction.org)
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Aesthetics
• Size• Ugliness •
Noise
• Tourism• Property Values
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Aesthetics
Size
Turbines are smallerthan other
technologies.
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AestheticsTourism
Wind farms can enhance tourism.
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AestheticsUgliness
Turbines can be pretty.
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AestheticsNoise
Turbines are quieter than you think.
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AestheticsProperty Values
There’s no evidenceturbines harmproperty values.
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Health
• “Wind TurbineSyndrome”
• Shadow flicker • Blade ice-throw • Electro-magnetism
(EM fields)• Stray voltage
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HealthWind Turbine Syndrome
Turbines do not cause“wind turbinesyndrome.”
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HealthShadow Flicker
Wind turbines do not cause epilepsy.
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HealthBlade Ice-Throw
Turbines are designed to shut down whenice forms.
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HealthElectro-Magnetism
Electro-magnetic fieldsfrom turbines do notappear dangerous.
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HealthStray Voltage
Wind turbines do not cause strayvoltage.
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Costs
• Electricity price • Variability • Transmission• Subsidies
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CostsElectricity Price
Wind energy is cheaper than alternatives.
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CostsVariability
Wind energy is reliable and predictable.
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CostsTransmission
Wind energy does not require lots of newtransmission lines.
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CostsSubsidies
Wind energy has received fewer subsidiesthan fossil fuels.
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Environmental
• Birds • Bats • Emissions• Marine• Site preparation
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EnvironmentalBirds
Wind turbines are safer for birds thanalternatives.
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EnvironmentalBats
Bat populations have not plummeted because ofturbines.
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EnvironmentalEmissions
Wind turbinesdirectly reduce airemissions.
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EnvironmentalMarine
Wind farms can enhance marine habitat.
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EnvironmentalLand Use
Land use from wind turbines is minimal.
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Miscellaneous
• National Security • “Foreign” companies • Rare earth minerals• Job destruction• Natural disasters • Slows the planet
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MiscellaneousNational Security
Wind farms helpnational security.
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Miscellaneous“Foreign” Companies
Domestic companies benefit greatly fromwind farms.
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MiscellaneousRare Earth Minerals
Rare earth mineralsare not a majorbottle neck to wind
energy.
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MiscellaneousJob Destruction
Wind energy generates jobs.
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MiscellaneousNatural Disasters
Wind turbines can survive hurricanes.
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MiscellaneousSlows the planet
Wind turbines do not slow the planet.