[NatureNS] Wind Turbines - Input and Interest Required

Date: Wed, 12 Sep 2007 13:27:03 -0300
From: David & Alison Webster <dwebster@glinx.com>
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Dear All, Sept 12, 2007
Wind energy has some serious drawbacks that seem to have been 
overlooked, the most serious being--
1) COST: How will increases in the cost of wind be absorbed into the 
cost structure ?

2) MERCURY: Using wind to generate electrical power could result in less 
usage of coal and thus less Hg in the environment. With less Hg in the 
environment, Loons might become low in Hg, ride higher in the water and 
consequently become top-heavy and have a tendency to flip sideways and 
gargle at critical points in the call.

3) SEA BIRDS: Using wind to generate electrical power could result in 
less usage of oil and less oiling of birds at sea. This biocontrol helps 
to avoid overcrowding of sea bird colonies so a decrease in oil spills 
could have serious consequences.

4) TREES: Using wind to generate electrical power could result in lower 
concentrations of low-level Ozone, acid-rain and consequently lead to 
less effective biocontrol of trees. And consequently, for example, 
Spruce trees in the Annapolis Valley might begin to live longer than 80 
years, posing dangerous navigation hazards to flying birds as compared 
to a low cover of Heath, Sedge and Alder

5) AIR: Using wind to generate electrical power could result in a lower 
incidence of smog alerts, respiratory ailments and presumably health 
problems in birds or other air-breathing wildlife. A decrease in the 
incidence of smog could increase life expectancy, cause overcrowding and 
increase the demand for electricity and nesting sites.

6) WIND: Using wind to generate electrical power is likely to slow the 
wind down so that it doesn't get there on time, causing air pockets. The 
recent Westjet air-pocket incident, far from the nearest wind farm, 
shows how dangerous this effect can be.

Yours truly, Dave Webster, Kentville

James Hirtle wrote:

> Hi all:
>
> This is something that was brought to my attention by Brad Armstrong 
> and he would like input from birders and others on the potential 
> environmental threat and impact to birds. Apparently the area to be 
> cut over borders Card Lake for this project. Interested parties should 
> attend the meeting if you are able to. Sorry for the short notice as 
> it is this Wednesday, but Brad and I only found out about this meeting 
> within the past half week. Apparently the turbines are not to be the 
> shorter ones, but are supposed to be huge and will still far up into 
> the air. This was first brought to the publics attention in the 
> Chester Clipper as of the last edition. If anyone wants to see the map 
> and the full attachment sent to me, please email me personally, and I 
> will sent thus attachment to you. It is not much more than below, but 
> it does give a map of the area that the project covers.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> James R. Hirtle
> Dublin Shore
>
>
>
> South Canoe Wind Park
> Environmental Assessment
> Public Open House
> When: Wed, Sept 12th from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
> Where: Upper Vaughan Community Hall
> Little Red School House, 1015 Highway 14, Upper Vaughan
> Dear Resident/Stakeholder,
> Minas Basin Pulp and Power Company Limited, a part of Scotia 
> Investments Ltd., and Ventus Energy Inc
> are currently proposing the development of a wind energy project in 
> Central Nova Scotia. The lands
> owned by Minas Basin stretch through both the Municipalities of the 
> District of West Hants and the
> District of Chester. Today the lands are used for logging and are 
> located in a prime area for wind energy
> development. The map below shows the project area and the proposed 
> electrical corridor.
> The project is proposed to include approximately 55 wind turbines up 
> to 140 metres tall. The electricity
> produced at the site could be up to 100 MW, enough to power up to 
> 35,000 Canadian homes every year.
> The project is currently in the planning and development stage. An 
> Environmental Assessment to meet
> both the Provincial and Federal requirements is ongoing. M.K. Ince and 
> Associates is conducting the
> Assessment which involves an analysis of the potential impacts of the 
> proposed project on the natural,
> social and cultural aspects of the environment
> during the construction, operation and
> decommissioning. Field studies are currently
> underway.
> We hope you will attend this Open House to offer
> your feedback, ask questions and learn about:
> . wind energy
> . the details of the project
> . the ongoing Environmental Assessment
> Carolyn Marrack
> Ventus Energy Inc.
> 416 214 1112 xt225
> cm@ventusenergy.ca
> Julia Kossowski
> M.K.Ince and
> Associates Ltd.
> 905 689 3900
> southcanoe@mkince.ca
> Terry Gerhardt
> Minas Basin
> Pulp and Power
> 902 684 1707
> tgerhardt@minas.ns.ca
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> Windows Live Hotmail. Even hotter than before. Get a better look now. 
> www.newhotmail.ca?icid=WLHMENCA148
>


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