The Whatcom Excavator
  • Home
    • About Us
    • Who's Planning Our Lives?
    • Diminishing Property Rights
    • NGO's & Public-Private Partners
    • Agenda 21
    • Buzzwords
    • Deep Thought
    • Best Available Science
    • Best Available Humor >
      • Humor Archive
  • The DREDGE
    • Gotta See This
    • How To Dredge
  • Bulldozed
    • Eco-Activism and County Policy
    • CELDF - "Democracy"
    • ALERT: Community Energy Challenge
  • Pig Trough
    • ReSources
    • Sustainable Connections
    • BALLE
    • ICLEI
    • Whatcom County Community Network
    • Big Wheels Award
  • Contact Us

Huge Wind Turbine Project on Galbraith Mountain Raises Questions

4/8/2012

2 Comments

 
Talk around town is that serious questions have been raised about an absolutely immense wind turbine project that's been proposed for installation at the top of Galbraith Mountain.   This mega-machine so far exceeds the County's recently enacted standards it requires a conditional use permit.   WE checked out the turbine specs, and learned that - yes indeed (see the particulars) - this has a 100 meter rotor diameter, that's 328 feet.

With all the outcry from our local eco-elite alarmists about retaining the county's scenic beauty, habitat, and rural character, in uber-green style most want to turn a totally blind eye away from this project's impacts, which would be many.

This machine will make an incredible amount of noise (the specs say 106 decibels) when it runs - well beyond safe limits.   And there's no question that this will slaughter birds like crazy for years if it's built.   At three times the height of Bellingham Towers it will need to have have aircraft warning lights.   So much for the Galbraith Mountain skyline, aesthetics, etc.    The foundation and earthwork will be significant, at a location right between the Lake Whatcom and Lake Samish watersheds.   These turbines are notorious for leaking oil, among other environmental impacts.   So much for watershed protection.   At a minimum, a very big buffer (perhaps 1000 feet) should be required around the thing.   Imagine how far a broken blade would fly (they weigh tons), and there's that pesky noise issue.
Picture
Two griffon vultures killed by turbines in Navarre, Spain. One of them has been sliced in half by the blade.
Picture
Kenersys K100 2.5MW Wind Turbine
To top it off, this wind turbine will require a tremendous amount of cash subsidy.   WE reported last fall how much power bills are already grossly inflated to stuff the pockets of windpower outfits.   This "industry" has been a gold-rush, unrestrained by reality.  Turbines don't turn all the time, and cost-benefit runs to the "highly inefficient end of the scale" almost everywhere.   WE have never been "NIMBY" types, but this looks like a one-way cash cow of the worst kind.

WE suggest you read this position paper written by a local citizen.   And here's a link to a petition you can print and circulate among others if you'd like to get involved.   Opposing a bad idea takes a lot of courage in these parts.
2 Comments
Donna Shaw
4/9/2012 05:07:11 am

I am wondering what type of federal subsidies are involved in this project and whether or not arrangements have been made for transmission lines, that would carry the power from this wind farm.

Oh, and one more thing, is there a need for this power in WA State, or is it destined for Canada or California?

Reply
childofww2
4/18/2012 04:43:27 pm

Thanks for excellent dtails of this impending disaster - hope we can stop it - - if the local environuts don't protest this then their hypocrisy is on show for all to see.

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    WE Dredge!
    Picture
    Posting Rules:
    This forum is moderated.  Please make an effort to substantiate claims that support opinion.  Gratuitous profanity and ad-hominem attacks will not be accepted.  You can create a "nickname" if you'd like, and you don't have to reveal your e-mail address.   Feel free to share information and your honest thoughts.

    Categories

    All
    Agenda 21
    Best Available Science
    Big Government
    Eco Activism
    Ethics
    Freedom
    Planning
    Property Rights
    Science
    Small Business
    Social Engineering
    Taxes
    Welcome

    Archives

    January 2022
    September 2020
    August 2020
    April 2020
    November 2019
    August 2019
    September 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    September 2017
    July 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    June 2015
    March 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011


    Automatic Updates

    Do you want to be notified when new content is added to this newsfeed? Most browsers allow you to subscribe to our Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feed. Click on the RSS link below, and follow the instructions.

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.