IN THE WINDMILLS OF EU MIND...
I see that the United Kingdom will be forced to build thousands more wind turbines in the countryside under a Brussels edict to be announced tomorrow. Energy experts say new EU climate change targets mean the UK will have to generate 40 per cent of its electricity from green sources within 12 years. In order to meet that target, the number of wind turbines on the land would have to rise fourfold. Thousands more would be needed at sea. The move would be one of the greatest engineering projects in years - and dramatically change the skyline of Britain and its coastal waters.
Oh yes, and one more thing. All these thousands of grotesque windmills will fail to generate sufficient power to justify their existence.
Still, since when did reason enter into the environmental debate? Here's a song for Brussels...
David Vance
in environmental extremists
|
9 Comments
View Printer Friendly Version
Reader Comments (9)
David,
Well, I don't have a huge problem with this, to be honest. I don't know all the economics, but I think it would be better to import less oil (and sending money to you know who) than we do now and if that can be accomplished with tax breaks and some minor visual degradation, I can live with it. I don't want to see every inch of country side littered with these things, but you get my drift.
A couple of months ago some guy called to my door to ask me to sign a petition to stop the construction of a new wind-farm off the coast of Wicklow. I think the windmills will be 10 miles out, but they're so big that they'll be easily visible from the shore.
I don't think he could believe it when I said that I had no problem with such a project and wouldn't sign his petition.
Will the windmills produce waste that is almost impossible if not impossible to get rid off?
Will the windmills cause radiation either in the land or in people who live close to them?
Soloution, build one in your back yard where you have no objections and watch those who live beside you protest and fight it.
Does windmill power provide constant reliable energy? Fancy having an operation in a hospital where windmills are providing the power to the theatres?
How many windmills = one nuclear power station?
Don't the French care about their people, with nuclear power providing 80% of all French needs?
Windmills are ugly, environmentally destructive, grossly inefficient and a flight of fancy.
>> I think the windmills will be 10 miles out, but they're so big that they'll be easily visible from the shore.
I don't think he could believe it when I said that I had no problem with such a project and wouldn't sign his petition<<
You may live to regret it, Eagle, as I've heard those windmills can be very dangerous for birds.
Plus, isn't Dusty's a great version of that quintessential '60's song??
We can listen to Dusty on our nuclear powered dvd player while drinking water contaminated by the nearby nuclear station.
Groovy!
Sounds good to me. Did you know that radioactivity is good for you? For example, those people who live in Aspen experience background radiation way above the safe level, but last time I checked they seemed a healthy lot, ski-ing serenely.
>>people who live in Aspen experience background radiation way above<<
The spas in Hungary actually advertise the radioactivity of their waters. Thermal tourists can choose a radioactive level to suit their pockets (or perhaps their family-planning prospects)
I've been there and must admit you do feel a certain glow when you come out. My wife also looked quite radiant in her dressing gown.
re. Song. I agree, Dusty's version justifies any off-shore measures.
You need wind to make them work? But if it is the wrong kind of wind they have to be shut down. Like lots of ideas, it sounds good till you put it into practice.