Wind Energy Coming Along in New York

While I'm fully aware that wind energy (along with other renewable, "green" sources like geothermal) will never fully answer the massive energy needs of our greedy society, I still highly approve of their use and expansion. If nothing else, I take some comfort in the fact that such measures could at least push back the date when the oil finally runs out and the Olduvai Theory finally comes true, ushering in the next stone age. That's why I was glad to see that, here in New York State, the Reunion Power Company is close to beginning work to install a wind farm of 24 turbines in Cherry Valley. According to developers, this relatively small installation will be able to provide enough power for one and a half times as many homes as there are in the entire county.

Reunion Power of Montvale, N.J., is getting ready to unveil its plans to erect as many as 24 wind turbines on a ridge of hills in eastern Cherry Valley at a cost of about $80 million.

If everything goes according to plan, the turbines would go up in the spring and summer of 2007, and by fall they would be turning wind into electricity, according to David Little, project manager.

About 12 property owners have signed agreements that will allow Reunion to site towers on their properties in the east hill area. The firm has a good idea where turbines could be situated, and when the open house is held, "we'’ll have visuals so people can see what they will look like, and we'’ll have experts there to answer questions." he said.

Of course, as I'm sure you could have predicted, every time somebody tries to do something new and progressive, there will be some group of yahoos trying to shut them down.

Before Reunion Power came to Cherry Valley, Global Winds Harvest had proposed building wind turbines there. Global Wind'’s proposals were opposed by a group called Advocates for Cherry Valley, and that group is opposed to Reunion'’s plans, too, according to Lynn Marsh of Roseboom, a founding member of the group.

"We'’ve been going to town meetings, monitoring what'’s going on and we'’re ready for when Reunion comes to the planning board," Marsh said. Most members of the group, who live in Cherry Valley and other communities, are strong supporters of the environment, but don'’t think historical Cherry Valley is the place for large wind turbines.

The same group is already gearing up to oppose Reunion's efforts. Their primary objection? "It wouldn't be aesthetically pleasing."

Ok, people. Listen up. You live out in the boondocks. They are proposing to put the windmills out in the middle of noplace, on private property where the owners have already agreed to it and will be compensated nicely. There are a few other factors for you to consider:

• Our energy situation is getting more and more unstable. Long before the fossil fuels completely run out, you'll likely see rolling blackouts across the country. By isolating yourself from the main grid during times like that, YOU WILL STILL HAVE POWER, you hicks!
• And when the oil really does finally run out, again... YOU WILL STILL HAVE POWER, you hicks!
• The company will be paying your little village a handsome sum every year to do this. The money, as the article points out, can go towards lowering your property and school taxes and funding local projects while you pay less.
• The turbines last more than a quarter of a century before having to be replaced, and when they do wear out, you don't have to pay to replace them.
• You live in an agricultural community and wind turbines don't emit any plumes of toxic gases or chemicals. In fact, they barely make any noise.
• Oh, and did I mention......? When everyone else is screwed, YOU WILL STILL HAVE POWER, you hicks!

The debate has apparently gotten quite heated... so much so, in fact, that the Chairman of the Town Planning Board resigned over it. He apparently not only supports it, but is one of the property owners offering his land for turbines to be placed. He's afraid that the opposition group will call it a conflict of interest, so he resigned his job completely.

I hope these people wake up and see the opportunity they have in front of them - not just for themselves, but for everyone. There aren't that many places where wind power is really viable on a commercial scale and they should feel lucky that their little valley is one of the few that is.