EcoWatch: Let’s look at the other side of wind turbines

“Industrial-scale wind turbines can cause significant harm to the environment, wildlife, and people.
The wind’s low-power density means massive materials and land/sea area requirements, along with heavy-duty access roads and powerlines. And because of the wind’s intermittency and high variability, they do next to nothing to reduce the need for other fuels.”

National Wind Watch

Many people think of wind turbines as windmills of the past that graced the land in Holland amid tulips and peaceful slopes. However, wind turbines of today are now making news that may challenge that serene thought.

Recent news events involving wind turbines may raise some questions concerning their performance, leaving people in various states to reconsider their approval of wind turbines in their area. Some states are now reevaluating their worth and hoping for a “Gone with the Wind” exit.

However, in reality, this will not occur unless there is a general uprising, and that happening is moot. Just consider that there are 74,511 wind turbines in the United States, Guam and Puerto Rico. Recently, an article by Mike Schuler reported that, “Maine signed the first U.S. floating offshore wind energy research lease executed by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), covering nearly 15,000 acres off the coast of Maine. It is situated 28 nautical miles off the coast of Maine on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf and is poised to host up to 12 floating offshore wind turbines.”

The offshore wind turbine industry aims to study the potential of floating offshore wind energy, its environmental impacts, and its compatibility with existing ocean use. However, current plans to utilize floating platforms at locations that critics suggest are both speculative and costly to install, operate, and repair will continue to harm many animal species.

Let’s consider the size and magnitude of wind turbines. Some are taller than the Statue of Liberty, with blades that are 361 feet long, and the average rotor diameter was over 420 feet. The average capacity was 3.2 megawatts as of 2022. It is estimated that about one million birds and one million bats are killed every year, along with ocean species like whales, dolphins and fish.

The numbers will continue to rise as more wind turbines, mimicking a giant spider web, expand throughout the U.S., with the reality that we are paying for this carnage as most wind turbine projects are subsidized by the BOEM. Consider that one commercial wind turbine can cost between 2.6 million to four million dollars. That does not include future maintenance and repairs.

As wind turbine towers continue to receive praise and applause from many sources, there is a rise of anger from those who have or plan to have wind turbines in their state areas. Consider the latest two incidents in New Jersey and Nantucket. According to Bill Barlow, Press of Atlantic City, “Members of The New Jersey Board of Utilities revoked a 2019 decision approving Ocean Wind 1 contractor Ørsted to build approximately 100 towering wind turbines off South Jersey beaches. Local opposition continued to grow as the permitting process expanded.”

Ørsted settled claims with New Jersey for $125 million over scrapped offshore projects, according to the Associated Press, and Ørsted pulled the plug on its New Jersey offshore wind energy plans, according to EnviroPolitics. One of the reasons given was the concern that the project was killing whales, although experts say there was no link between strandings and wind turbines. Reports say projects are still on the table, but time will tell.

The other recent incident in Nantucket occurred on July 13, 2024, after a damaged Vineyard Wind turbine sent floating debris and sharp fiberglass across the south shore of Nantucket. According to James King, MPA of Freedom Press, “The debris began appearing after a reported offshore incident involving one of the turbine blades on July 13. Vineyard Wind operator confirmed the blade suffered damage but provided few details. ‘The blade experienced a breakage approximately 20 meters from the root,’ said company spokesman Craig Gilvarg.”

Reports by local news reporter Beth Treffeisen say residents were concerned about the floating debris, sharp fiberglass across the south shore of Nantucket. About 17 cubic yards of debris, more than six truckloads, and several larger pieces had been collected. The damaged blade is 107 meters long. Vineyard Wind said more debris from the damaged blade was falling into the ocean, and what is left may soon fall too. Residents were outraged, warned to wear shoes on the beach, and considered the fallout toxic. There was no reason given by the company for the disaster.

Other incidents and comments have appeared throughout the U.S. Consider the following headlines from National Wind Watch:

• Iowa: Wind turbine fire in Mechanicsville could cost farmers millions.
• Nebraska: County Commission hears arguments for changing wind turbine zoning regulations, extends moratorium.
• Rhode Island: Beaches at risk as potential turbine debris reaches Little Compton shores.
• Wyoming: Landfill may be the next stop after lightning blows up a turbine blade near Cheyenne.
• Indiana: Nod for wind turbines near homes and school to be probed.
• Minnesota: How a small Minnesota town was left with a giant pile of wind turbine blades.

This list could go on and on, along with a list of new groups forming to halt windmill construction in their areas. A following article will be written on the effects of turbine windmills on the environment and animals.

It is almost certain turbine windmills are here to stay, but let’s first make sure they are a sustainable, safe addition to the environment.

email: gaiasvigil@gmail.com