I saw this article today…
USA Today Article
I find it appealing that RI, a state I have visited and have fond memories of is trying, (atleast some people) to get moving on the energy crisis. The way I see it any and all coastal states need to get with it in regard to wind power.
But I also find it disturbing and absurd that it is taking years to figure out where to put windmills. First let me say every time I see a windmill, modern or old, I find it absolutely beautiful. Mind you, if we can maintain the natural untouched horizon and beauty of nature all around, that would be great. But we put up buildings all over the place, and big concrete roads and overpasses, so we already screwed that up. If we don’t start harnessing this power instead of oil, it won’t matter, we will likely kill ourselves anyway. Global warming is not the threat, we are. When we start having energy and water shortages, we are going to kill each other (even worse then we are now).
But frankly, I don’t think you have to go and ruin a patch of prestine public land at all to put up windmills. Here is what I ask RI, and other states trying to figure this out? How many public buildings are there in your state? How many windmills can you fit on the top of them? Use it. You already have destroyed nature there, be efficient about that atleast.
Lets talk about highways, exactly what do you think all those light poles going down the center of a freeway kind of look like? To me they look like a steel pole that can have a light on it, add a few more wires through it, and put a damn turbine above the light. Seriously people, stop walking around with your heads up your asses here. Look at what you use, and fit a damn windmill on top of it. Parking lots also.
I don’t care about zoning restrictions, change them, we do it all the time. I guarantee even if you mess with a few birds, your impact is a hell of a lot less when you use land you already have and use every day. It amazes me that even now, after we got past the arguments about needing renewable energy, even after getting past not having the technologies for efficient energy, we still find some silly reason to drag our feet.
Solar is still growing into a cost efficiency position that is ideal, but get with it there too. There is no reason to have any public building sitting with spare roof space, put some panels up. As they get cheaper, put more up. I haven’t seen a lot of government buildings not stay in use for less then a few years, you’ll make your money back and more.
Now as for a power grid that buys back the power, or the state doing it. Do what you have to do, we know from blackouts and storms, that people’s public safety is at risk with out energy. So the way I see it, if a government has the right to make me where a seatbelt, they certainly have the right to ensure people get the energy they need, and do it affordably. I am all for a free market, but when it becomes an absolute basic need, our government should do what it takes to ensure we have it.
Simply put, use your heads, think of some ideas, or call me if you need help with ideas. And GET IT DONE, that’s what we elect and pay you for. It’s time you do your jobs, or hand it to someone who can.
Thank you,
Jeremy Davis
We came across this awesome collection of radio broadcasts by the Chicago Public Radio – This American Life. Thanks to our favorite singer, Vienna Teng, who shared the links on her Facebook account.
