[neverdem]

I agree with the environuts on one thing: renewable energy is an eyesore beyond buildings. But they can't have their cake and eat it too.

Solar energy projects like the uncredited pic or solar panels on buildings require a maximum of surface area for the photoelectric effect or you're spinning your wheels. It's simple physics.

[musicman]

[soycd]

The pathetic EcoPinheads and their supporters should be shipped to mecca for a lesson in ignorance.

[Tublecane]

How do they not choke on all the buzzwords? They’re thicker than smog.

[cripplecreek]

The same idiots are tearing out dams at an astounding rate as well. If you want green energy that actually works and is low cost, hydro can't be beat. Obviously its a different situation in the west but here in the east there are literally thousands of dams doing nothing more than driving property values up and holding energy potential

We're in an all fired hurry to remove all the existing dams that could produce enormous amounts of RELIABLE energy and replace them with windmills that produce energy when conditions are perfect. If there's too much wind they don't work, if there's too little wind they don't work. Solar is even worse because the sun only shines a limited amount of the time. Midwest dams on the other hand are virtually never without enough water and actually exceed capacity much of the time. Unlike wind, when capacity is exceeded, dams simply dump the excess and the turbines keep right on turning.

These are from an ongoing feasibility study for the purpose of refurbishing two small dams in Ann Arbor for energy production. (There are 4 in Ann Arbor with the Barton and Superior already producing electricity) Note the estimated capacity exceedance.



Here is the actual report. The cost is around $4 million each with $1 million being permits and legal fees making the actual cost of around $3 million each. I'm curious about the cost of erecting a windmill and power distribution infrastructure to support them.

HYDROELECTRIC REDEVELOPMENT ARGO AND GEDDES DAMS FEASIBILITY STUDY (pdf)

[GeorgeWashingtonsGhost]

Solar panels are obnoxious. Wind turbines are loud, just as obnoxious and kill over 400,000 birds (mostly raptors) per year in the United States.

[verum ago]

Ah, environmentalists:

They say we need solar power, but then block the projects because they might have an adverse environmental impact and because they’re eyesores.

They say we need massive wind farms, but then block them because they’re eyesores, surprisingly efficient at killing birds, and quite loud.

They advocate geothermal energy, but block the projects because they might adversely affect groundwater.

They say we should use tidal power systems, but then shoot down every proposed location due to aesthetic and environmental concerns.

About the only thing they haven’t proposed then blocked is using corn for ethanol, which is of course driving up food prices and causing shortages in the third world where we used to send our excess crop.

My personal favorite instance is how the libs living in Martha’s Vineyard were the fiercest advocates of offshore wind farms until it turned out that the best location in the country for one is off Martha’s Vineyard. Then they suddenly had high-minded reasons for stopping the Cape Wind Project, nothing more than chagrined, disguised NIMBY, of course.

How long until they propose magic happy pixie dust as an alternative energy source, but then block the fairy ranching operations..? ;p

[Eleutheria5]

In Israel solar hot water heating is almost standard.

[SkiKnee]

Eyesore is putting it mildly. I wonder if that monstrosity can be seen from orbit.

[BitWielder1]

For once I agree with the enviros but not for the same reasons.
First, make sure it's economically viable before you plant square miles of the stuff.
Start with an acre or so of privately funded panels. WHEN it can pay for its own start up and maintenance costs, THEN feel free to expand to another acre.
That way it will grow at the rate it deserves, and you can resolve any birthing pains at a reasonable cost.
Do NOT start with 640 million dollars of taxpayer money only to have it flop like Solyndra.

[Erik Latranyi]

Further PROOF that environmentalists do not want ANY solution.

[Right Wing Assault]

I love when the “save the earth” solar people and the “save the earth” environmentalists try to eat each other.

I hope they both win.

[tbw2]

Does this opposition prove that the “green energy” push is really an effort to deny people energy altogether?

[discostu]

This is why the cult of global warming is losing momentum with the people, environmentalists always construct no win situations, when people can’t win they just do what they want. Enviros complain about every form of energy, every form of getting your food from the store to home, every form of transportation.

[Bigjimslade]

Ultimately, these guys just want to stand on the hose regardless of the source of energy & bring down the economy. I’ve been saying for years that green is the new red. The green thing is a convenient front, but go to any enviro gathering and the speakers will eventually start calling for an end to capitalism.

[Rocky]

...disrupt Pleistocene-era caliche deposits that release carbon to the atmosphere when exposed to the elements...

Do these numbskulls ever stop to listen to themselves? They are just insane.

[ApplegateRanch]

5,900 MW when the sun shines versus the full-time fossil fuel 33,000+ MW the EPA regulations are closing mainly in 2014 - 2016 but with a few next year; and a couple even sooner.

http://www.instituteforenergyresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Update-of-Power-Plants-to-be-Closed-by-EPA-Regs-Feb-7.pdf

That solar power will do wonders for charging electric cars overnight.

OTOH, the reduction will save the money otherwise needed to upgrade and expand the grids that are pretty much maxed out. /sarc