Posted on 12/14/2016 11:51:46 AM PST by NormsRevenge
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration on Wednesday finalized a rule that lets wind-energy companies operate high-speed turbines for up to 30 years — even if means killing or injuring thousands of federally protected bald and golden eagles.
Under the new rule, wind companies and other power providers will not face a penalty if they kill or injure up to 4,200 bald eagles, nearly four times the current limit. Deaths of the more rare golden eagles would be allowed without penalty so long as companies minimize losses by taking steps such as retrofitting power poles to reduce the risk of electrocution.
The new rule will conserve eagles while also spurring development of a pollution-free energy source intended to ease global warming, a cornerstone of President Barack Obama's energy plan, said Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe.
"No animal says America like the bald eagle," Ashe said in a statement. He said the Fish and Wildlife Service is trying to balance energy development with eagle conservation.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
So....what you gonna propose to hide these hideous gigantic monsters?
Once the "free money" was over.....Maintenance and repair...disappeared.
They are a blight on the landscape....and too many people fall for it.
Actually yes the did run studies that determined they could get more in tax breaks than they cost to install plus they could charge a premium for any electricity they actually produced.
I’m not a big fan or replacing unless they can operate from a different mindset that they did the last time.
These versions don’t make money.
Best to just take the ones we have offline.
Seems to me the best way to implement wind and solar is to do it for a single household. Design the home to be self-sufficient.
I think we’ve gone too far with the central power provider model.
If we would put more effort into developing things to feed into the single family dwelling model, we could become a lot more efficient IMO.
This hasn’t caught on, and that’s probably because it’s not as feasible as I think it is.
One area that interests me a lot is a solar focal steam generator using a water lens. These can get up to thousands of degrees hot.
There are a lot of ideas out there. I’d like to see some of them picked up by a going concern, and made available to consumers.
At the present time, I think the current windmills should be taken down. They evidently aren’t living up to the promise. If they aren’t, then spare the birds.
As for the protectors, I don’t know of many power plants that are visually pleasing. Do you?
Then there were fiscal flaws before they even got off the drawing board.
But they aren't spread over thousands of acres.....in very pretty country.
I am a fan of the windmills, if they work, generate enough money to be profitable, and can be made safe from killing birds.
I understand your objection based on sight. For the life of me I can’t see what is so offensive about them. I can sit and look at them for a half hour or more, just enjoying the shape and the motion.
Nobody wants nuclear, coal, or gas electrical generation plants nearby. Nobody wants the windmills nearby.
Folks need the electricity, but they want it to be generated far away and brought in by wire.
I don’t really know what the answer is.
You’re not the only one who thinks that way.
My neighbor to the west of me...contracts with some gobment subsidized company..and builds 20 windmills right in my Western view...
And you wouldn't call that offensive?
Do you believe you have a right to demand an unobstructed view to the horizon, across other people’s property?
What about a person who purchases a home in a new sub-division. It has the best view in the group. In the next phase new homes are built and the people in the first home no longer have a view.
Should they be able to block any further building, once they’ve purchased their home?
I understand your dilemma. I wouldn’t like my view altered either.
For the record, I wouldn’t want a power plant nearby either. I would seek to purchase in an area free from that.
I’m telling you that, because I think it’s normal for folk to think along those lines.
I really don’t know the answer to this situation.
And don’t I love that they are reaping the fruit of their sanctimonious embrace of green technology!
I would love to watch the irony of Trump using the Green’s method of obstructing production because of some endangered species being present in the area.
Shut them down due to eagles being killed. Their heads will explode in confusion.
That for me...isn't the issue. I know what has happened in the past....and Gobment subsidized to private companies to anyone...is a MISTAKE.
I may not live long enough...but these are boondoggles. And I know it....
They come in...and say they will provide jobs...Oh, the locals might get a job clearing weeds,, and rocks...but in the end...maybe 2 jobs will be created long term..and likely it ain't a local person. I've seen it over and over again.....Not to mention the BS...the Fed's give a pass to...killing birds and bats.
If it was a natgas leak...and a mouse was killed. That company would be fined hundreds of thousands of $$$....
How freaking FAIR is that?
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